BROCKPORT, NY - The No. 2 ranked Utica Pioneers traveled down the thruway to battle Brockport on Friday evening within the confines of the Wegmans Ice Arena. In their first UCHC action since reclaiming their spot atop the UCHC standings, the Pioneers made great strides in their quest for the regular season conference crown as they sped out to a huge lead and pummeled the Golden Eagles by a 7-1 final on Friday night. The night was highlighted by the stars aligning for the Pioneers' recent top players, with many of the team's 2025 standouts littering the scoresheet.
Back in the lineup for the Pioneers was Johnny Mulera, who had missed all of last week's series against Nazareth after being the team's premier offensive threat the weekend before that against Manhattanville. The Maryland man instantly returned to form, as he glided around effortlessly despite the multi-week break, scoring two goals with some nifty skating and also adding an assist for a big three-point night.
Mulera was matched in the scoresheet by the reigning UCHC Player of the Week Jakob Breault, who continued to torment Brockport who fell victim to his breakout barrage back in November. The Graduate player also recorded a two goal, one assist night and got it done in the circle, capturing 16 of the 22 total faceoff chances that he underwent in the matchup. The veteran center vaulted his season point total versus Brockport up to eight after Friday's finish.
Drake Morse completed the three-headed monster of recently unstoppable Pioneer attackers, logging one goal and one assist in a hard-fought effort while also falling inches short of even more scoring as he hit the iron multiple times.
Shane Murphy and Tio D'Addario rounded out the scoring for Utica, with the latter recording his first goal in a Pioneer uniform since transferring in over winter break.
The Pioneers employed the services of many-a-playmaker in the eventful evening, with Aydin Parekh, Matt Wood, and Anthony Cafarelli each ending the action with two assists. Aiden Hughes, Preston Brighton, and Justin Rapp slotted in as the final point-getters for the team with each player getting a single apple.
The Pioneers were quick to set the tone in each of the first two periods, finding a goal within the first minute of play in each frame. They also added to their conference-leading power play marks, going two-for-two on the night and converting both advantage opportunities to emphasize their efficient player-up prowess.
The visiting side also stood their ground, coming one unlucky bounce away from the illustrious shutout. Ryan Piros was the main proprietor in that particular plight, as he once again played solid in goal, recording 20 saves and stopping all but one errant shot as he held the Golden Eagles to a single tally and improved to a staggering 6-0 as the main Pioneer goaltender.
The team moved to 15-2-1 on the season and 11-1-1 in UCHC play. They maintain their one-point lead in the conference standings over Geneseo heading into tomorrow night's series finale vs Brockport at the Adirondack Bank Center. That game will begin at 7:00 and will be Hamilton Orthopedic Night.