PLYMOUTH, MI - The #14 Utica University men's hockey team unofficially kicked off the second half of their season last night at the USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Michigan, facing off against some of the top prospects in the entire country as they battled the United States U-18 National Team Development Program in an exhibition. Despite a hard-fought battle, the Pioneers wouldn't be able to find an answer to the U-18's third goal, falling 3-2 after a scoreless third period by both teams.

Tyler Procious (Pittsford, NY) and Nick Ahern (Chicago, IL) would score the team's two goals in the outing, as each player found an answer to a U-18 goal, helping the team knot the game back up on each occasion.

Procious' score came just over a minute into the matchup, as the sophomore responded to a quick U-18's goal with a rocket of his own. Jaguar McClelland would receive the puck from Anthony Bax (Parkhill, Ontario), driving into the heart of the U-18 defense before laying it off to Procious, who then beat the Western Michigan commit Luke Carrithers top shelf on the glove side to make it 1-1.

The U-18's would strike back right before the first intermission, scoring on a breakaway to make it 2-1, but the Pioneers would find another answer during the second period. 

Just before the midway point of the matchup, Nick Ahern (Chicago, IL) would receive a stretch pass from Aydin Parekh (Nobleton, ON), setting up what would be the goal of the night by either team. Ahern would skate into the Pioneers' offensive zone, dropping off the puck to a trailing Mathieu MacMillan (Ottawa, Ontario). MacMillan would then hold the biscuit for a few moments before sending a pinpoint pass to a drifting Ahern, who found himself open on the backside, where he pinged the puck off the back post to make it 2-2. Ahern was able to quickly get himself into position after the drop off, fooling the U-18 defenders to score the highlight-reel goal. The passing on the play was extremely smooth and showed good synergy despite the long winter break. 

The U-18's would strike again shortly after the goal by Ahern, grabbing what would be the eventual game-winner as they stymied the Pioneer attack during the third period to secure a 3-2 victory. 

Freshman goaltender Frank Murphy (Mississauga, Ontario) got the start in net, saving 18 shots in the effort. 

The Pioneers will now turn their attention to a key non-conference double this upcoming weekend, facing Neumann on Saturday at 7:00 and SUNY Canton on Sunday at 5:00. Both games will take place at the Adirondack Bank Center and will wrap up non-conference play for the team.