Men's Ice Hockey Utica Athletic Communications

Zapata's Hat Trick Guides No. 3 Utica Over Lebanon Valley

HERSHEY, PA - Another Friday brought another big win for the No. 3 Utica College men's ice hockey team. The Pioneers roared out to a 3-0 first period lead to gap the hosts, and they never looked back as they topped Lebanon Valley 7-0 in a United Collegiate Hockey Conference game at Hersheypark Arena. 

Utica is now 14-2 after their seventh straight win. They maintained a spotless road record at 6-0, and are now 10-0 in UCHC games this season. Lebanon Valley is now 2-12 overall, and 1-8 in conference play. 

The Pioneers got a hat trick from junior captain Dante Zapata in the win, while senior netminder Sean Dickson posted a 14 save shutout for the tenth blanking of his career. Eric Holland, Jamie Bucell, Buster Larsson, and John Moncovich had a goal apiece. Jayson Dobay had three assists, while Justin Allen tacked on a pair of assists to keep his point streak intact at six games. Brandon Osmundson also had two assists. 

The Pioneers scored four power play goals, did not allow a power play goal, and out-shot their opposition by a 55-14 count. 

Goaltender Aidan Richardson made 31 saves for the Dutchmen before turning over the net to Ty Franchi in the third period. 

The Pioneers came roaring out of the gate with three goals in the first 10:17 of the first period. John Moncovich opened the scoring at 4:03, Eric Holland doubled up the lead with his ninth goal of the season at 5:37, and Dante Zapata finished off the thunderous first period surge with a power play goal at 10:17 for a three goal lead at the end of the first period. 

Things went quiet late in the first period, and through much of the second, but another flood of goals late in the frame buoyed Utica to a 6-0 lead after two periods. Jamie Bucell opened up a 4-0 lead at 15:07, while Larsson and Zapata recorded power play goals by the end of the frame to double up the first period lead by the end of two. 

Zapata finished off his hat trick with a power play goal at 12:09 of the third period. He now has eight goals this season. 

The Pioneers finish out the weekend at Arcadia on Saturday. Game time is set for 3:30 p.m.