Utica, NY – The Elmira College Men's Hockey Team won its first game of the 2011 season against the Utica Pioneers Friday evening. The Soaring Eagles started off slow, but would fight back and score three goals in the final period to seal the win 3-1.

Utica took the early lead scoring six minutes into the first period when Steve Zappia scored on a power play being assisted by Steve Charest and Evan Chlanda. This score would stand throughout the rest of the period, even though Elmira would outshoot Utica 11 to 3. In the second period the score would stay at 1-0 and both teams would have the same amount of opportunities to score.

Going into the third period Elmira knew that it would have to fight much harder in order to get the win. The Soaring Eagles responded to the early deficit just over six minutes into the third period with D'Arcy Oaks '13 (Shanty Bay, ONT -- Quinnipiac University) scoring off the feed from Eric David '15 (Dorval, PQ -- Pembroke Lumber Kings) and Rick Acorn '12 (Barrie, ONT -- Couchiching Terriers). The score would stay tied again, but EC would score with less than five minutes left in the game. Joe Gagne '14 (Orrington, ME -- Philadelphia Revolution) would score this second goal being assisted from Wes Consorti '12 (Brantford, ONT -- Niagara University) and Oaks. With 37 seconds left Elmira would seal the game with Jesper Strale '14 (Uppsala, Sweden – Springfield Pic's) scoring the open net goal and being assisted from John Clewlow '12 (Brampton, ONT -- Dixie Bee Hives) and Kevin Willer '12 (Toronto, ONT -- North York Rangers).

Darren MacDonald '13 (Stittsville, ONT -- Nepean Raiders) finished in the net for Elmira with 23 saves and his first win.
The Soaring Eagles will face travel to Manhattanville College tomorrow, November 5 and face off in their second conference game of the season at 7:00 p.m.