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ADRIAN, MI - Senior Pioneer Nicholas Rogers got the 26th season of Utica hockey underway in dramatic fashion during Friday's 3-2 overtime with at #8 Adrian, receiving a pass in the slot from Paul Minnehan before launching a rocket into the upper left of the Bulldog net to snatch a massive season-opening win for the Pioneers. 

After a scoreless opening period, the teams traded goals throughout the second and third frames before Utica forced overtime with an early third-period equalizer. Just 3:38 into the extra frame, last year's UCHC Tournament MVP found the back of the net to give the Pioneers a thrilling 3-2 victory and open the season with a win.

The orange and blue received goals from three different players in the season opener, with Aydin Parekh, Andrew Della Rovere, and Rogers each finding the scoresheet. Della Rovere and Rogers each recorded four shots on goal, while Della Rovere also made a major impact at the faceoff dot, winning 19 of his 32 draws. Drake Morse, Anthony Bax, Jakub Galnor, Aidan Hughes, and Paul Minnehan each contributed an assist. In net, Mitchell Day turned aside 31 shots, including 12 in the third period, to help the Pioneers secure the overtime win.

After a scoreless opening period, Adrian broke through just 53 seconds into the second frame to take a 1-0 lead. Utica responded at the 5:33 mark, as Parekh found the equalizer, tossing a shot on net from the blue line and receiving the season's first goal thanks to massive disruption from Alexander Gullichsen in the crease. The teams continued to trade chances throughout the period, but the Bulldogs regained the advantage with a power-play goal at 18:42, sending the Pioneers into the second intermission trailing 2-1.

The Pioneers wasted little time getting back even in the third period. Just 38 seconds after the opening faceoff, Della Rovere made a nifty move, winning a one-on-one with the Adrian goaltender after receiving a pass in space from Morse. Day, the Pioneers' new senior goalie, was busy throughout the frame, stopping all 12 shots he faced as Adrian looked to reclaim the lead. Day also helped ward off four opposing power plays, two of which occured during the third period. After regulation, the teams remained tied at 2-2, sending the season-opening showdown to overtime.  

The Bulldogs threatened early in the extra period, but Utica earned a power play after an Adrian tripping penalty at 1:28. The Pioneers generated several chances on the 4-on-3 man advantage, ultimately coming up empty on the overtime opportunity. However, directly after the penalty expired, Rogers delivered the decisive moment, burying a feed from Minnehan to seal the 3-2 victory and send the Pioneers to their first win of the season.

Three Stars:

First Star - Nicholas Rogers: Rogers came through with the biggest goal of the night, firing a puck into the upper left corner of the cage to add yet another clutch score to his resume. The senior, who scored the game-winning wrap-around goal in last season's UCHC Championship, came through in a crucial moment once again, logging the Pioneers first win over Adrian in their last four tries. The forward finished with four shots on goal and made the most of his opportunity in the extra frame, helping secure the 3-2 final.

Second Star - Andrew Della Rovere: Della Rovere played a key role in the Pioneer attack, scoring the game-tying goal just 38 seconds into the third period on a breakaway. He finished with four shots on goal and was a force at the faceoff dot, winning 19 of 32 draws to lead Utica.

Third Star - Mitchell Day: Day delivered a strong performance in the season opener, stopping 31 of the 33 shots he faced. His 12 saves in the third period helped keep the Pioneers within striking distance before the Pioneers completed the comeback in overtime. He also helped shut down four penalty kills on the evening, surviving 6:21 of man-up icetime by the Bulldogs. Day earned his first career win with the orange and blue. 

The Pioneers finished the night with 45 shots, including 25 on target, while Day's 31 saves helped the team withstand 54 shots from Adrian. 

The nation's #6 team returns tomorrow afternoon to wrap up the two-game set with Adrian. Opening faceoff is set for 3:00 PM from the Arrington Ice Arena.