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UTICA, NY - Highly touted rookie
Jakub Galnor (Prerov, Czechia) shined in his UCHC debut as the #3 ranked Utica University men's hockey team turned in a strong all-around performance on Friday night, earning a 4-1 victory over Brockport at the NBT Bank Arena.
The Pioneers struck first in the opening period and added two more goals in the second to create some separation before putting the game away with a late empty-net tally. The win moves the orange and blue to 2-2-1 overall and 1-0-0 in conference play.
The Pioneer offense was led by Galnor, who recorded the first two goals of his collegiate career while adding an assist for a three-point night. Galnor is now tied for the team lead with seven points on the season.
Nicholas Rogers (Broad Channel, NY/Xavier) also had a productive night, scoring once and assisting on one of Galnor's goals, while
Andrew Della Rovere (Caledon East, Ontario/St. Michael's Catholic) added a goal of his own.
Drake Morse (Grand Rapids, MI/East Grand Rapids) contributed two assists, while
Aydin Parekh (Nobleton, ON/Blyth Academy),
Stepan Kuznetsov (Yaroslavl, Russia/Wayzata), and starting goalie
Michael Modelski (New Boston, MI/Connections Academy) each recorded an assist. In net, Modelski turned aside 25 of the 26 shots he faced to earn the victory in his home debut.
Utica opened the scoring at the 6:57 mark of the first period, as Galnor found the back of the net for the first time in his collegiate career. Morse set up the play, holding strong at mid-ice before finding Galnor on the right side, with the freshmen sending the puck past the blocker of the Golden Eagle goaltender, giving the Pioneers a 1-0 advantage that they carried into the first intermission. The orange and blue controlled much of the opening frame, outshooting the Golden Eagles 12-6.
Brockport pulled even early in the second period, converting on a power play right after a 5-on-3 at 3:50 to make it a 1-1 game. The Pioneers responded just over three minutes later, as Rogers put Utica back in front at the 7:16 mark. Galnor flipped a pinpoint pass up ice to find Kuznetsov in space, with the sophomore sending the puck to Rogers on the backside, restoring the Pioneers' advantage. Utica continued to apply pressure late in the period, and with just 1:28 remaining, Galnor struck again. This time, Rogers wove through the heart of the Brockport defense and launched a shot off the goaltender, which Galnor hammered home for his third point of the night.
The Pioneers maintained their two-goal advantage throughout the final frame, with Modelski and the Utica defense keeping Brockport off the scoreboard. The Golden Eagles pulled their goaltender late in an effort to cut into the deficit, but Modelski continued to come up with key stops. With just 21 seconds remaining, Della Rovere sealed the victory with an empty-net goal, finishing a play assisted by Morse and Modelski to secure the 4-1 final.
Three Stars:
First Star - Jakub Galnor (Prerov, Czechia): Galnor delivered a breakout performance, recording the first two goals of his collegiate career while adding an assist for a team-high three points. The freshman opened the scoring in the first period before setting up Rogers' go-ahead goal in the second. He then capped off his night with his second goal at 18:32 of the middle frame, helping the Pioneers build a two-goal cushion. Galnor now has seven points on the season, tying him for the team lead. The freshman also won eight of his 14 faceoffs.
Second Star - Nicholas Rogers (Broad Channel, NY/Xavier): Rogers played a key role in the Pioneer attack, recording a goal and an assist in the victory. He scored the eventual game-winning goal at 7:16 of the second period, finishing a play set up by Kuznetsov and Galnor. Rogers then returned the favor later in the period, assisting on Galnor's second goal of the night to help Utica take a 3-1 lead into the final frame.
Third Star - Michael Modelski (New Boston, MI/Connections Academy): Modelski was strong between the pipes, stopping 25 of the 26 shots he faced to help the Pioneers earn the victory. The goaltender kept Brockport off the board throughout the third period as the Golden Eagles attempted to mount a comeback. He also contributed offensively, picking up an assist on Della Rovere's late empty-net goal to cap off a complete performance.
The Pioneers finished the night with a 40-26 advantage in shots, while Modelski's 25 saves helped limit Brockport to just one goal. Utica won 34 of 52 faceoffs, led by Della Rovere, who won 16 of his 19 draws.
The Pioneers return to play tomorrow night to battle Brockport over at the Wegmans Ice Arena. Opening faceoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM.
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