Pine Valley, NY – EC Men's Hockey hosted the number 10 nationally ranked Pioneers of Utica College in a crucial ECAC West match-up. The Pioneers entered tonight's contest winning 8 of their last 9 games while EC came in winning 5 of their last 6.
The first period was played at a very fast pace with both teams flying from side to side and firing shots at will. Elmira would be first to strike with a goal as Jesper Strale '14 (Uppsala, Sweden -- Springfield Pic's EJHL) deflected a slap shot by Kevin Willer '12 (Toronto, ONT -- North York Rangers, OPJHL) that beat the goalie, giving Elmira a 1-0 advantage. EC's goal would come on a power-play opportunity just 5:55 into the game. At the 15:48 mark Darcy Vaillancourt '12 (Bonfield, ONT -- Innisfil Lakers, GMJHL) would give the Soaring Eagles a two goal lead as he buried a top-shelf shot on a one time pass from Willer. EC would hold on to the 2-0 lead as they entered the first intermission.
There was an offensive explosion in the second period as both teams would find the back of the net. EC's John Clewlow '12 (Brampton, ONT -- Dixie Bee Hives, OPJHL) would tally a goal at the 10:48 mark as he beat the goalie, one-on-one, on the right side of the net. Defensemen Michael Kirby '12 (Delta, BC -- Melford Mustangs, SJHL) and Karl Linden '11 (Stockholm, Sweden -- Bradford Rattlers, GMJHL) would earn the assists on the goal as Kirby made a pass from deep in the EC defensive zone allowing Clewlow the one-on-one opportunity. Less than a minute later Vaillancourt would score his second goal of the game on a one time blast on a pass from Willer. Vaillancourt's second goal would force a Utica College goalie change.
The Pioneers would finally get on the scoreboard at the 12:58 mark to bring them within three goals of the Soaring Eagles. At the 15:24 mark in the second, rookie Dylan Herold '14 (Delta, BC -- Burnaby Express, BCHL) would give EC back their four goal cushion as he would wrist a one timer on a string of passes from Wes Consorti '12 (Brantford, ONT -- Niagara University) and Rick Schrank '11 (Newmarket, ONT -- Newmarket Hurricanes, OPJHL). Elmira would hold onto the four goal lead as they entered the third period of play.
Neither team would find the back of the net in the third period leading to a 5-1 EC win. Elmira goalie Darren MacDonald '13 (Stittsville, ONT -- Nepean Raiders, CJHL) earned the win tonight and he was stellar in net as he made 37 saves. Tonight's win improves Elmira's record to 10-5-3 and 4-2-0 in ECAC West play. Elmira will look to improve on their ECAC West record next week as they travel to take on Manhattanville College on the 28th and 29th of January.
Elmira College 5 Utica College 1
Box Score
