UTICA, NY – The No. 1 Utica University men’s hockey team begins a week with two games this week with one at home and one on the road. The first game is at home on Friday, January 27 at 7 p.m. against Nazareth College and is Dunkin Night. The team then travels to Rochester, NY to face Nazareth on Saturday, January 28 at 4 p.m.
Follow Along: Those unable to attend Friday’s game can tune in for live video and/or stats via https://bit.ly/2wtxUV5. Nazareth will provide live video and/or stats via https://bit.ly/2MOZOjA.
Last Time Out: The team set a pair of program records en route to a dominant 16-1 win over the Lebanon Valley Dutchmen on Saturday night. The team’s 16 goals set a single-game program record, as did its plus-15 goal differential. The previous program record for both goals in a game and goal differential came in a 13-1 win at Chatham University in November 2017. Utica’s record setting victory improves the team to a perfect 12-0 mark in UCHC play while extending the team’s winning streak to seven games and point streak to 14 straight. Remy Parker’s (Montclair, NJ/University of Maine (NCAA DI)) four goals tied a single-game program record, joining Gregg Burmaster (2019 vs. King’s), Phil Boots/Trent Flory (2003 vs. SUNY Brockport) and a two-time four-goal scorer in Jimmy Sokol (2002 vs. Neumann and 2004 vs. SUNY Potsdam). Regen Cavanagh (Chesapeake, VA/Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL)) put together a three goal performance while Mic Curran (Arlington, MA/Curry College (CCC)) and Buster Larsson (Malmo, Sweden/Utica Jr. Comets (NCDC)) each had two. Also tallying goals on the night were Connor Fedorek (Bethel Park, PA/Ferris State University (NCAA DI)), Jayson Dobay (Weymouth, MA/Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)), Shane Murphy (Oriskany, NY/Danbury Hat Tricks (NAHL)), Joey Berkopec (Hamilton, Ontario/Coquitlam Express (BCHL)) and Brandon Osmundson (Virginia Beach, VA/Hampton Roads Whalers (USPHL)). Dobay led the Pioneers with six points as he added a team high five assists to his line along with his third period goal. His six points finish one shy of tying a career high for the junior as he recorded seven in a game last year, also coming against Lebanon Valley. Following Dobay were Fedorek and Khristian Acosta (Port Monmouth, NJ/Mercyhurst University (NCAA DI)), who each had three assists, while Brian Scoville (Agawam, MA/Alabama-Huntsville (NCAA DI)), Murphy and Curran each had two. In goal, Bryan Landsberger (Montreal, Quebec/Nepean Raiders (CCHL)) made 11 saves and didn’t allow a goal over his two periods of work. Avery Sturtz (Marion, IA/Maine Nordiques (NAHL)) made eight saves during his time in goal in the third period with one goal allowed. The Pioneers rattled off seven first period goals on 35 total shots and 28 on goal. Parker recorded a hat-trick within the first 13 minutes of play with goals at 2:57, 8:14 and 12:50. Osmundson (6:45), Cavanagh (9:33), Larsson (13:22) and Curran (18:45) also scored goals in the first. The team also went 3-for-3 on power plays over the first 20 minutes while also holding the Dutchmen to seven shots on goal in the first. Utica added seven more goals in the second period including Larsson’s second of the night at 3:50, Cavanagh’s second and third and Parker’s fourth. By the end of the period, the Pioneers had 51 shots on goal while the Dutchmen were still held to single digits with nine. Utica’s power play remained a force in the second also as the team went 2-for-3 on man-up advantages. Dobay and Curran added two more Utica goals in the third period while Lebanon Valley got on the board itself with a score at 13:59. The Pioneers ended the night with a 65-20 shot on goal advantage as well as with 44 faceoff wins to Lebanon Valley’s 21. The team also went 7-for-9 on power plays as the Dutchmen were called for 11 penalties and totaled 38 penalty minutes.
Game Sponsor: Dunkin’ will proudly serve as the presenting sponsor for Friday night’s game between No. 1 Utica and Nazareth. Dunkin’ is currently offering its new Midnight Blend, Brown Butter Toffee Latte and Bacon Avocado Tomato Sandwich at all locations. Customers can also enjoy a $1 donut with the purchase of any medium sized coffee. This deal excludes specialty donuts and fancies while the offer is valid on medium or larger coffee. Participation may vary on this limited time offer.
Top Dogs: The Utica University men’s hockey team triumphs to No. 1 in this week’s US College Hockey Online Men’s Top 15. The poll was released Monday by the national college hockey website. This marks the first time ever that the Pioneers have held the No. 1 spot in the USCHO Top 15. Utica moves to the No.1 spot from No. 2 after receiving 288 points this week that included 10 of the 20 first place votes. No. 1 Utica improved to 14-2-1 overall this season after two wins this weekend, increasing the team’s point streak to 15 games after 6-1 and 16-1 wins against Lebanon Valley College. The full Division III men’s hockey rankings can be found at https://www.uscho.com/rankings/d-iii-mens-poll/.
Remy Running Wild: Remy Parker (Montclair, NJ/University of Maine (NCAA DI)) was named UCHC Player of the Week on Monday. Parker had a career weekend including a record-tying performance on Saturday when No. 2 Utica cruised past Lebanon Valley. Over the two games, Parker accumulated five goals on 14 shot on goal attempts while assisting on one. In Friday’s 6-1 win, Parker scored one goal before Saturday’s game where he tied the single-game program record with four goals. Parker executed a hat-trick less than 13 minutes into the game, scoring his fourth goal later in the second period. In the third period, he assisted in one goal to steer the team to a record-breaking win. His hat trick was the fourth quickest in NCAA Division III history as it took him just 12 minutes and 50 seconds to record it.
Yes, that Really Happened: The team’s 16-1 victory over Lebanon Valley last Saturday was a record setting night. The win marked the most goals scored in team and UCHC history while the 15-goal win was the largest margin of victory in program history.
Where We Stand: The team has been dominant in many facets and features many players at the top of the UCHC individual statistics. Remy Parker (Montclair, NJ/University of Maine (NCAA DI)) leads the UCHC in goals with 14 and goals per game at .82 after his weekend outburst. The trio of Connor Fedorek (Bethel Park, PA/Ferris State University (NCAA DI)), Jayson Dobay (Weymouth, MA/Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)), and Mic Curran (Arlington, MA/Curry College (CCC)) are all tied for first in the conference with 15 assists this season. Mic Curran (Arlington, MA/Curry College (CCC)) is second in the conference with 24 points and Remy Parker (Montclair, NJ/University of Maine (NCAA DI)) is fourth with 20. Curran leads the UCHC averaging 1.44 points per game which is .15 more than second place. The team leads NCAA Division III in goals with 89 and goals per game at 5.24.
About Nazareth: The Golden Flyers sport a 11-4-2 record and are 9-2-1 in UCHC play this season which has them second in the standings. The team is on a three-game winning streak and topped King’s College 4-1 in the team’s last outing on Saturday, January 21. Henry McKinney is the team’s top threat who is top-three in points and assists in the conference and has a whopping fifteen assists this season. Blake Frost, Ethan Louisos, and Michael DiSchiavi are all terrific playmakers for Nazareth as they all have recorded 12 or more points this season. In net, Raphael Provencher sports a 7-3-1 record with 228 saves and a .912 save percentage this season.
The Series: The Pioneers have dominated the series between the two sporting a 20-5-3 record all-time against Nazareth. The team has currently won 11 straight games against the Golden Flyers and beat them 7-1 the last time the two squared off on February 5 2022. Utica has won the last three matchups by at least three goals and looks to keep its recent domination against Nazareth going.
Up Next: After this week, the team will host King’s College on Friday, February 3 at 7 p.m. on AmeriCU night.
#34 Khristian Acosta F 5′ 9″ Senior Sports Management
#21 Joey Berkopec D 6′ 2″ Junior Business Management/Marketing
#23 Regen Cavanagh F 6′ 0″ Graduate Student Business Economics & Finance/Business Analytics
#19 Mic Curran F 6′ 1″ Graduate Student Master of Business Administration
#5 Jayson Dobay D 6′ 0″ Junior Business Management
#1 Bryan Landsberger G 6′ 6″ Sophomore Psychology/Creative Writing
#29 Buster Larsson F 6′ 6″ Senior Finance
#9 Shane Murphy F 5′ 11″ Sophomore Sports Management
#27 Brandon Osmundson F 5′ 9″ Senior Sports Management
#22 Remy Parker F 6′ 3″ Senior Communications Players Mentioned
#34 Khristian Acosta 5′ 9″ Senior Sports Management F
#21 Joey Berkopec 6′ 2″ Junior Business Management/Marketing D
#23 Regen Cavanagh 6′ 0″ Graduate Student Business Economics & Finance/Business Analytics F
#19 Mic Curran 6′ 1″ Graduate Student Master of Business Administration F
#5 Jayson Dobay 6′ 0″ Junior Business Management D
#1 Bryan Landsberger 6′ 6″ Sophomore Psychology/Creative Writing G
#29 Buster Larsson 6′ 6″ Senior Finance F
#9 Shane Murphy 5′ 11″ Sophomore Sports Management F
#27 Brandon Osmundson 5′ 9″ Senior Sports Management F
#22 Remy Parker 6′ 3″ Senior Communications F
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