UTICA, NY - The No. 2 Utica University men's hockey team will square off against the No. 9 Plymouth State Panthers in the NCAA Division III Tournament Quarterfinals on Saturday, March 16. Puck drop from the Adirondack Bank Center is set for 7 p.m. 
 
Follow Along: Live video and stats will be provided for those unable to attend through https://portal.stretchinternet.com/utica/. 
 
Ticket Information: Limited tickets are still available and can be purchased through https://empirestatetix.evenue.net/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/SEGetEventInfo?ticketCode=GS%3AUTICA%3AUU24%3A0316%3A&linkID=utica&shopperContext=&pc=&caller=&appCode=&groupCode=UCP&cgc=&dataAccId=568&locale=en_US&siteId=ev_utica. 
 
Digital Program: The 2024 NCAA Division III Ice Hockey Tournament official program can be viewed through https://www.ncaa.com/DIIIMensIceHockey. 
 
Online Store: NCAA Division III Men's Hockey Tournament merchandise is on sale at https://www.event1teamstore.com/ice-hockey/men-s/div-iii.html. Merchandise may also be purchased at the Adirondack Bank Center on the day of the game. 
 
Last Time Out: The No. 2 Utica University men's hockey team defeated Stevenson University 3-2 on March 2 to secure their third straight UCHC Title and their fifth in program history. The 2024 UCHC Tournament MVP, Ethan Roberts (Cary, NC/University of St. Thomas (NCAA DI)) collected 28 saves with an astonishing 17 in the third period. Jakob Breault (Acton Vale, QC/Alaska-Fairbanks (NCAA DI)) had a dominant day, taking faceoffs and going 20 for 28 on the evening giving the Pioneers plenty of extra possessions. Eric Vitale (Toronto, ON/Shreveport Mudbugs (NAHL)) led Utica with one goal and one assist along with five shots on goal. Griffen Barr (Nanaimo, BC/Vernon Vipers (BCHL)) and Breault had one goal each. Drake Morse (Grand Rapids, MI/Shreveport Mudbugs (NAHL)) and Kimball Johnson (Dallas, TX/University of St. Thomas (NCAA DI)) had two assists each while Preston Brighton (Castle Rock, CO/Amarillo Wranglers (NAHL)) tallied one.It was a quiet start to the game with each team only registering a few shots through the first seven minutes of the first period. Utica created havoc off a turnover, and some beautiful passing in the attacking zone led to an Eric Vitale (Toronto, ON/Shreveport Mudbugs (NAHL)) goal. The goal came at the 7:09 mark off feeds from Kimball Johnson (Dallas, TX/University of St. Thomas (NCAA DI)) and Preston Brighton (Castle Rock, CO/Amarillo Wranglers (NAHL)) to give Utica a 1-0 lead in the physical battle. The next moments of the contest featured the teams spending much of the period in the neutral zone with each goaltender denying a few fantastic opportunities for both sides. However, the Mustangs capitalized on a power play with a back door pass in a three-on-one opportunity, leading to a nice goal to knot the score 1-1 at the 18:24 mark. After one period of play, it was 1-1 in the team's biggest game of the season with the Pioneers leading the shot battle 11 to 8. Utica wasted no time with Barr rifling a slapshot from the blue line into the back of the net just 37 seconds into the second frame to give the team a 2-1 advantage. Drake Morse (Grand Rapids, MI/Shreveport Mudbugs (NAHL)) and Vitale each were credited with assists on the goal. At the 14:30 mark, John Gutt (Middletown, NJ/Utica JR Comets (NCDC)) had a near breakaway attempt, which he fired just right of the net. Utica was granted a power play around the 12-minute mark and had a few fine chances yet were denied as the Stevenson defense prevailed. Utica had another power play chance at the 13:36 mark due to holding, and the Pioneers were sure to capitalize. Breault rifled in a rebound off assists from Johnson and Morse to push the Utica lead to 3-1 with just under five minutes left in the second period. The Pioneers were granted their third power play of the period with just 2:06 remaining due to slashing. Utica had a few strong chances yet were denied by the Mustangs' defense and took its 3-1 edge into the final period of play. The first few minutes of the final period saw the teams battling in the neutral zone and fighting for possession. However, Utica was granted another power play about five minutes into the third period yet could not convert.The Pioneers remained aggressive, controlling the puck in the attacking zone, with the Mustangs' netminder Ty Outen making some fine saves to keep the game 3-1. Stevenson kept inching closer, putting a rebound into the back of the net at the 10:04 mark to cut the Utica lead to just 3-2. Utica kept control of the puck firing off plenty of shots while playing strong defense down the stretch. In a final stretch that saw Stevenson give the Utica defense all they could handle, Roberts and company held strong to turn away any chance of the Mustangs tying the game.
 
Brick Wall: Ethan Roberts (Cary, NC/University of St. Thomas (NCAA DI)) was outstanding in net during the UCHC Tournament, making 78 saves on 80 shots for a .975 save percentage. For his remarkable efforts, Roberts was awarded tournament MVP. On the season, he has accumulated a .940 save percentage, for ninth best in the nation while allowing only 1.56 goals per game, ranking fifth best nationally. He will look to continue his excellence in net as the team prepares to make an NCAA Tournament run.
 
Everybody Eats: For the third straight season, at least 10 skaters notched at least 20 points for The Pioneers. Utica's offense has put up 132 goals thus far, ranking fourth in the nation, with scoring coming from a wide array of players. The UCHC Player of the Year, Brian Scoville (Agawam, MA/Alabama-Huntsville (NCAA DI)), leads the team with 32 points while Matt Wood (Garnet Valley, PA/Richmond Generals (USPHL)) and Jakob Breault (Acton Vale, QC/Alaska-Fairbanks (NCAA DI)) each have 29. Shane Murphy (Oriskany, NY/Danbury Hat Tricks (NAHL)) leads the team in goals with 13 along with 15 assists for 28 points. Eric Vitale (Toronto, ON/Shreveport Mudbugs (NAHL)), John Gutt (Middletown, NJ/Utica JR Comets (NCDC)), Khristian Acosta (Port Monmouth, NJ/Mercyhurst University (NCAA DI)), Aiden Hughes (Mississauga, ON/Milton Menace (OJHL)), Drake Morse (Grand Rapids, MI/Shreveport Mudbugs (NAHL)) and Michael Herrera (Syracuse, NY/Utica Comets (NCDC)) have all scored at least 21 as well. 
 
About Plymouth: The Plymouth State Panthers were the winners of the MASCAC Conference with an overall record of 24-2-2. The Panthers topped the SUNY Cortland Red Dragons, 5-2, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on March 9. The team is headlined by the nation's top scorer, Will Redick. Redick's 58 total points coming from 27 goals and 31 assists lead the nation. He had three total points in the win over Cortland off of one goal and two assists. The sophomore was named MASCAC Player of the Year and has been absolutely incredible. Junior Connor Tait has been fantastic as well, sitting 14th in the nation with 35 points coming from 16 goals and 19 assists. Kalle Andersson has been excellent in net this season, allowing just 1.75 goals per game with a .934 save percentage. 
 
All-Time History: Utica is 3-0 all-time against Plymouth State, most recently winning 5-3 last season. In that victory, Khristian Acosta (Port Monmouth, NJ/Mercyhurst University (NCAA DI)) led the team scoring two goals. All three games between Utica and Plymouth State have been played at the Adirondack Bank Center (2016, 2019, 2022). 

Up Next: With a win the Pioneers will advance to the NCAA Division III Frozen Four in Hartford, CT to take on the winner of No. 1 Hobart and No. 12 Curry in the national semifinals.