RYE, NY - The No. 10 Utica University men's hockey team kept their UCHC streak rolling on Friday night, kicking off their weekend series against Manhattanville with a big shutout 3-0 victory to coincidentally advance to 3-0 in conference play.
The team took advantage of Manhattanville's physicality, notching a power play score thanks to their ability to put pressure on the hosts. The orange and blue would also win the faceoff battle by a 38-22 margin, setting up a few scoring chances thanks to their powerful draw. The Pioneers also outshot their foe, although the Valiants were able to get their offense going as well. However, the Valiants were no match for the Pioneers' veteran goal guardian…
Three Stars:
1st - Senior goaltender Kyle Curtin was amazing in the victory, standing on his head as he grabbed 33 saves in the first shutout of his Pioneer career. Curtin shut the door on the hosting Valiants, despite an effort from the red and black that saw them launch over 10 shots on goal in every period. Curtin stood tall through it all, though, also dispatching the Valiants' only power play opportunity of the matchup as he put up a huge zero.
2nd - The Pioneers scored two quick goals to produce a multi-goal advantage at the midway point of the first period, forming a 2-0 cushion which was protected by Curtin for the rest of the matchup. Assisting on that first goal was top line defensemen Davis Goukler, who produced a pair of apples in the win. Goukler assisted on the first and last goals of the game, helping generate offense from deep in the Pioneers' defensive zone. The transfer blue liner also formed a solid pairing with Sale Cerrato, as the two top line defenders aided in the shutout effort.
3rd - The first goal of the game came within just six minutes of the opening faceoff, as the reigning Empire 8 and UCHC Co-Player of the Year John Gutt continued his hot streak with the ice breaker. Gutt flew in after a Valiant turnover, finding space on the backside as Nick Ahern sent a pass right to the stick of the reigning E8 honoree. Gutt proceeded to slot it away to open scoring. He was also huge in all different phases of the game, grabbing 11 of his 16 opportunities within the circle while also blocking three shots on defense. Gutt got it done in the win, showing his versatility and willingness to do whatever it takes to win.
Drake Morse and Alexander Gullichsen scored the other two goals, with Morse finding his score on the power play to make it 2-0, while Gullichsen shot on an empty net, scoring the game-sealing goal from the Pioneers' defensive zone.
Along with Ahern and Goukler, Alex German, Eric Vitale, and Andrew Della Rovere had the other assists for the orange and blue.
The Pioneers will head back to the Playland Ice Casino tomorrow afternoon, finishing the two-game set with Manhattanville with puck drop scheduled for 2:00 PM.