Utica, N.Y. (February 24, 2024) - #1 Utica University (22-2-3) tallied two goals in the second period en route to a 4-0 victory over #4 Alvernia University (13-12-2) Saturday night in a UCHC men's ice hockey semifinal at the Adirondack Bank Center at the Utica Memorial Auditorium. 

The Pioneers held a slight, 1-0 lead after the first 15 minutes of the contest but Utica came out and netted two powerplay goals in three minutes to grab a 3-0 lead after two. Utica then recorded an empty netter in the final minutes of the game to secure the 4-0 victory. 

How it Happened 

• The Golden Wolves fired three quick shots on Utica's net but Pioneers' tender Ethan Roberts saved all three. 
• Utica grabbed the early lead just under nine minutes into the first period when Khristian Acosta and Brian Scoville assisted Chris Carroll to give the Pioneers a 1-0 lead. 
• Utica sent seven more shots on the Alvernia goal in the final ten minutes of the period but Jackson Fellner saved all seven to keep the deficit at one after the first 15 minutes of play. 
• The Pioneers tallied a second on a powerplay opportunity three minutes into the second period when Matt Wood found the back of the net to make it 2-0 Utica. 
• Aiden Hughes made it three for Utica just three minutes later thanks to assists from Jakob Breault and Kimball Johnson. 
• The Golden Wolves tallied seven shots on goal in the final 15 minutes of the period but could not put the puck in the net as the Pioneers held a 3-0 lead heading into the second intermission. 
• The Pioneers netted one final insurance goal to seal the 4-0 victory to advance to the UCHC Championship game against Stevenson. 

Inside the Box Score

• Senior Captain Logan vande Meerakker led the Golden Wolves with six shots on goal and also tallied three faceoff wins. 
• Nine other Golden Wolves recorded two shots on goal and Senior Assistant Captain Hunter Alden led with five faceoff wins. 
• Jackson Fellner recorded 46 saves in net for Alvernia. Fellner's 46 saves is his second highest tally this season, with his season and career high being 47 saves in a 2-1 victory over Nazareth earlier this season. 

Of Note 

• The loss ends Alvernia's historic second season as a NCAA DIII Men's Ice Hockey program as the Golden Wolves finished with a program high 13 wins. 
• The Golden Wolves also played themselves into a hosting seed in the UCHC playoff for the first time in program history. 

Up Next 

• The Golden Wolves end the season with a 13-12-2 overall record and a 10-10-1 record in the UCHC.