UTICA, NY - The #2 Utica University men's hockey team returned to the Adirondack Bank Center on Friday night to face new SUNYAC side Skidmore in their final of two pre-season exhibitions. In a tense back and forth affair, a penalty-ridden third period eventually saw the orange and blue momentum fizzle out, with the Pioneers falling one goal short of a late equalizer before two empty net scores would give the Thoroughbreds a 6-3 victory. 

The Pioneers, despite the loss, managed to outshoot the opposition by a 31-25 tally. Even with just three goals, the hosts were able to find effective opportunities, but couldn't slam home a few open chances at the back post as they looked to get calibrated throughout the contest.

The orange and blue captain Drake Morse (Grand Rapids, MI) would net two goals on the night, opening the scoring midway through the first period and pulling back a late goal to make it 4-3 Skidmore with under two minutes remaining.

Freshman Sal Cerrato (St. Louis, MO) also nabbed a goal, sending in a blazer from the blue line to give Utica a 2-1 lead entering the first intermission. 

Will Hilfiker (Middletown, NJ), Hunter Longhi (Collinsville, IL), Preston Brighton (Castle Rock, CO), Nick Ahern (Chicago, IL), and John Gutt (Middletown, NJ) each added assists in the action.

The game was a physical one throughout, with both teams knocking each other off balance and preventing dangerous attempts for a majority of the matchup. The contest saw a combined ten power play opportunities, six for the Pioneers and four for the Thoroughbreds. 

The orange and blue capitalized on their first man-up advantage of the game, with Cerrato's goal breaking through. However, the team went 0-5 on their final power play tries, going 0-3 in a third period that saw five combined power play opportunities for both teams. 

The Pioneers will look to gel a bit more, and get the power play unit going when they open the regular season next week, a point of emphasis against a tough Adrian College squad.

Andrew Della Rovere (Caledon East, Ontario) led the faceoff effort once again, as he looks to solidify his spot as the Pioneers' main center. He captured 14 of his 22 chances, good for a 63.6% faceoff win rate. The team as a whole captured 56.5% of their Friday faceoffs.

In goal, netminders Kyle Curtin (St. George, Ontario) and Frank Murphy (Mississauga, Ontario) split time, with each playing around 30 minutes. The former made 10 saves while the latter secured nine. 

The Pioneers will officially kick off the regular season with a pair of matchups against #10 Adrian College. Those games will get underway next Friday at 7:00 and the ensuing Saturday at 2:00, both taking place at the Adirondack Bank Center.