ELMIRA STATS

UTICA STATS

LIVE COVERAGE

Elmira, NY -- The Elmira College men's ice hockey team begins their ECAC West title defense tonight at the Murray Athletic Center. EC, the fourth seed in this year's tournament, hosts the fifth-seeded Pioneers of Utica College at 7:00 p.m.

Last Time Out
The Soaring Eagles dropped a close 2-1 decision to No. 12/13, and ECAC West Conference leaders, Hobart College in their regular season finale. After two scoreless periods, Alexander Taulien '17 scored the game's first goal just over two minutes into the third period, giving EC a 1-0 lead. But the Statesmen countered with two goals over the next six minutes to seal the 2-1 victory.

2014-15 ECAC West Player of the Year
Jarryd ten Vaanholt '16 has been Elmira's top point producer all season and finished the 2014-15 regular season tied with Nazareth's Ben Blasko with 20 points within conference. In recognition of his outstanding play for the Soaring Eagles, ten Vannholt was voted the 2014-15 ECAC West Player of the Year, becoming just the fourth Elmira player to receive the award and the first since Kevin Willer '12 earned the honor in the 2011-12 season. 

Looking to Defend
The Soaring Eagles, after qualifying as the fourth seed in this year's ECAC West Tournament, will have to win three games to defend their ECAC West crown. If EC can successfully maneuver their way through this year's tournament field, they will become the first team since Manhattanville College, in 2006-07 and 2007-08, to win back-to-back ECAC West Championships. 

Expect a One-Goal Affair
Just one game between Elmira and Utica in the previous two seasons, the 2014 ECAC West Tournament Final, resulted in the victor winning by more than one goal. Taking the 5-2 Elmira ECAC West Championship game victory out of the equation, the Soaring Eagles and Pioneers each have three wins in the series and have netted 20 goals apiece. 

Scouting Utica
The Pioneers enter tonight's ECAC West Quarterfinal game with an 11-9-5 overall record, but have just a 1-3-1 record in their last five games. For the second time in his three seasons at Utica, Louie Educate is leading the Pioneers in scoring. He accomplished the feat in his first season in Utica, totaling 36 points in 2012-13, and is leading the Pioneers with 24 points, on 11 goals and 13 assists, this season.