UTICA, NY - Although it wasn't the result that they ultimately desired, this iteration of the Pioneer men's hockey team will be one that's remembered for ages due to their legendary accomplishments over the past few weeks.
 
After defeating Curry in an overtime thriller to reach their first ever national championship, the Pioneers saw themselves in another sudden victory situation, this time against DIII dynasty Hobart with the title on the line. The resulting action could only be described as an all-time classic, as both teams put forth a premier display of hockey excellence. In the end, although neither team deserved it, one team had to lose and so it was that an 18th minute overtime winner by the Statesman caused the Pioneers to fall just short of their first ever national championship, 2-1 at the Nexus Center in downtown Utica on Sunday evening.
 
Utica struck first in the matchup, with the semifinal hero Eric Vitale netting the first goal of the championship tilt at the midway point of the match by grabbing a bouncing puck in the slot and sending it into the upper region of the net for the 1-0. Vitale's score was helped on by Andrew Della Rovere and Matt Wood.
 
Following the score, the Pioneers continued to play outstanding defensively, having an amazing effort against an otherworldly Statesmen attack. Utica managed to hold the dam for most of the game, notching stop after stop while trying to wind the clock down and secure victory.
 
Hobart would not go down easy though, as they scrapped and clawed in the Pioneers' defensive zone, eventually seeing their relentless play produce an equalizer with just over eight minutes remaining in regulation.
 
Neither team was able to net a game-winner in regulation, with the game rightfully going to overtime, a fitting scenario for a national championship game of this caliber and class.
 
In the extra period, the game evolved into a standoff between the two goalkeepers, as freshman sensation Ryan Piros of Utica went toe-to-toe with graduate veteran Damon Beaver of Hobart. In the blinking contest that ensued, both goaltenders ascended to another level, shutting down shots left and right and putting on a duel for the ages in downtown Utica. After 18 minutes of top tier play and end-to-end action, it was the Statesman who capitalized on a turnover in the Utica D-Zone to get an opportunity in front of goal and net the game-winner.
 
Despite the tough ending, Piros put together a legendary effort that will be talked about for ages within the circles of Pioneer fandom. The freshman, who made his way to Utica over winter break, accomplished an absurd amount in just half a season, playing every single second of the Pioneers' four NCAA Tournament games. Up against a powerhouse Hobart team, the rookie didn't shy away from the bright lights, grabbing 44 saves in his 78 minutes of icetime during the Division III title game.
 
Utica and Hobart truly put together one of the greatest games in Division III hockey history and the matchup had the numbers to back up that narrative. Hobart had a slight edge on shots and in the circle, outshooting the Pioneers 40 to 46 and securing 36 of the 69 total faceoff opportunities in the matchup. Each team had one power play opportunity, but neither team managed to net an all-important advantage goal and secure more momentum heading into the latter stages of the matchup.
 
The Pioneer defense also kept the shot numbers close due to their aggressive and accurate pursuit in their own zone, recording 16 blocks in the game compared to just three by the Statesmen. This defensive tenacity, combined with the class of Piros, produced the most inspired defensive performance of the season by a wide margin.
 
Piros has a bright future ahead of him and the Pioneers will return lots of standout stars from this season's Frozen Four including Vitale, Della Rovere, and Anthony Bax. Thanks to a large class of sophomore studs and freshman phenoms who just achieved a taste of the mountaintop, the future has never been brighter for the Pioneer men's hockey program.
 
Utica finishes the season with a 24-5-2 record, recording their first ever Division III National Championship appearance in program history. It's been a long road to get to this point, but thanks to their back-to-back Frozen Four trips and this foray into the Division III final, the Pioneers are finally here. Don't expect them to go away anytime soon.