Score: Elmira College 3, Nazareth College 2
Records: Elmira (10-8-2, 5-4-2 UCHC), Nazareth (8-9-2, 5-4-1 UCHC)
Location: Murray Athletic Center -- Pine Valley, N.Y.
 
PINE VALLEY, N.Y. -- The Elmira College men's ice hockey team picked up a crucial United Collegiate Hockey Conference (UCHC) victory over Nazareth College, 3-2, tonight at the Murray Athletic Center behind three-point performances from Connor Powell '20 (1g-2a) and Matthew Cuce '20 (1g-2a).

It was a hard-fought first period that saw the two teams combine for just 12 shots on goal, with both Naz and EC taking six in the first 20 minutes. Despite the minimal amount of shots, both teams found the back of the net, knotting the score at 1-all heading in the first intermission. Nick Ford '20 tallied EC's opening goal on a beautiful tip-in off of a Powell shot. Cuce was also credited win an assist on the score.

The action picked up in the second period, as both teams would combine for 25 shots on goal. Ironically, this period would only produce one tally, a Cuce strike 9:09 into the stanza. With the puck pressed against the boards, Powell was able to slap the puck out to Cuce, who beat the Naz goalie one-on-one with a shot over his glove-side shoulder.
In between the pipes for the Soaring Eagles, Gennaro Anzevino '21 made a game-high 11 saves in the second period to preserve the Purple and Gold's lead heading into the third stanza.  

About four and a half minutes into the third period, Nazareth tied the score at 2-2 with an even-strength goal from J.R. Wojciechowski, his second of the season. This meant Elmira had to find the game-winner in the final 15 minutes. EC was up for the challenge, as a Powell strike at the 11:02 mark put the Soaring Eagles up for good, 3-2. Powell's goal was set up off of a tip attempt from Cuce that ricocheted off Naz's starter Michael Tilford's pad to Powell, who buried it into the back of the net. Ryan Blais '21 also got an assist on the play, the 13th of his rookie campaign.  

For the second consecutive period, Anzevino had to make double-digit saves to keep the contest close. In the third, the South Hackensack, New Jersey, native made 10 saves, giving him 25 for the night. It would be just what the Soaring Eagles needed, as Anzevino's effort led to the rookie winning his team-high sixth bout of the year.
 
In His Own Words…
Head Coach Aaron Saul '98 shares his thought about tonight's win…
"We played hard tonight. We didn't have a great start, but we found a way to get the win. We need the two points for our playoff push."
 
Coach Saul talks about tomorrow's game against a nationally-ranked Utica program…
"We need to play our game to be successful. It is the most important game of the year. They have a great power play so we will need to be disciplined."
 
Coach Saul shares his thoughts on how his defensive unit has played of late…
"We have worked all year on being better on the defensive side of the ice and it is starting to pay dividends late in the season."
 
News and Notes

• The win improves Elmira's record to 10-8-2 overall and to 5-4-2 in the UCHC.
• The Soaring Eagles widen their lead in the all-time series against Naz to 10-5-1.
• EC's three-game streak of tallying at least one power-play goal came to an end tonight.
• The Purple and Gold have won three-straight bouts at home.
• Ford, Powell and Cuce have each gotten a point in each of EC's last four games.
• Powell has posted more than one point in four-straight contests, while Cuce has done it in three consecutive.
• Both Powell and Cuce have five three-or-more point contests in 2017-18.
• Ford (17g-16a) and Powell (10g-23a) are now tied for the team lead in points with 33.
• With 13 assists on the season, Blais is tied for the most in the conference by a freshman.
• Anzevino's win tonight is his team-leading sixth of the year.

Up Next
The Soaring Eagles are right back at it tomorrow evening, when they welcome No. 7/7-ranked Utica College to the Murray Athletic Center. The opening puck drop for the UCHC bout is slated for 7:00 p.m.