UTICA, NY – The No. 2 Utica University men’s hockey team and the Lebanon Valley College Flying Dutchmen are set to meet in Annville, PA this weekend. Lebanon Valley will host Utica for games on Friday and Saturday, both of which starting at 7 p.m.
Follow Along: Lebanon Valley will provide live video through https://godutchmen.com/watch/?Live=1200 and live stats at https://godutchmen.com/sidearmstats/mhockey/summary.
Last Time Out: No. 2 Utica put on an offensive clinic in Saturday’s 6-2 win over the Neumann University Knights. The Pioneers out-shot the Knights 70-23 including a 28-8 advantage in the second period alone. John Moncovich (Wilmington, NC/Hampton Roads Whalers (USPHL)) led Utica with a pair of goals while Connor Fedorek (Bethel Park, PA/Ferris State University (NCAA DI)), Matt Wood (Garnet Valley, PA/Richmond Generals (USPHL)), Lucas Herrmann (Elma, NY/University of New Hampshire (NCAA DI)) and Remy Parker (Montclair, NJ/University of Maine (NCAA DI)) each registered one. Jayson Dobay (Weymouth, MA/Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)) accounted for three points, all via assists, while Buster Larsson (Malmo, Sweden/Utica Jr. Comets (NCDC)), Fedorek and Wood each had two points: Larsson via two assists while Fedorek and Wood also had an assist each to go with their goals. In goal, Bryan Landsberger (Montreal, Quebec/Nepean Raiders (CCHL)) made 21 saves on the night en route to picking up the win. Parker opened the team’s scoring with a first period power play goal at 8:59. However, Neumann knotted things up at 1-1 just 15 seconds later to erase its early deficit. However, with under four minutes to play in the period, Fedorek scored his first career goal with the Pioneers off Jakob Breault (Acton Vale, QC/Alaska-Fairbanks (NCAA DI)) and Wood assists to guide Utica into the intermission ahead 2-1. The team rode that momentum into a 28 shot second period that resulted in a trio of goals. Wood opened Utica’s lead to 3-1 at 10:52 while Moncovich netted his first of the night at 6:46 after rebounding a shot by Herrmann. With 29 seconds left in the second, Moncovich corralled the puck near the crease and snuck it in for his second of the night and a 5-1 advantage. From there, both sides scored in the third period, Neumann’s coming during a power play, as the Pioneers cruised their win to the 10 win mark in UCHC play. The Pioneers not only dominated shots, but the team controlled faceoffs throughout the duration of the evening. The team won 40 of 64 total while Dante Zapata (Huntington Beach, CA/Austin Bruins (NAHL)) claimed 12 and Herrmann 10.
In the Polls: Utica checked in at No. 2 for a fifth straight edition of the USCHO Top 15 Poll after receiving 276 points this week, including two first place votes. No. 2 Utica improved to 12-2-1 overall this season after two wins this past weekend that extended the team’s point streak to 13 games. The Pioneers shutout visiting Neumann 5-0 on Friday before firing off 70 shots in Saturday’s 6-2 win over the Knights.
Break on Through: Connor Fedorek (Bethel Park, PA/Ferris State University (NCAA DI)) has been a force this season with his UCHC leading 14 assists this season. On January 14 against Neumann, the defenseman was able to find the back of the net for his first career goal as a Pioneer. Fedorek’s fifteen points rank him tied for fourth in the UCHC and tied for second on the Pioneers.
Big Games, Big Players: Dante Zapata (Huntington Beach, CA/Austin Bruins (NAHL)) has shown up in conference play matchups with 10 of his 12 points this season against UCHC opponents. Zapata has been a playmaker during conference games with seven of his eight assists occurring. Mic Curran (Arlington, MA/Curry College (CCC)) has also done phenomenal in UCHC play recording 11 of his 12 assists this season. Another strong conference player is Remy Parker (Montclair, NJ/University of Maine (NCAA DI)) who has notched 12 of his 14 points this season against UCHC competition.
About the Dutchmen: Lebanon Valley College is 2-11-2 this season and 1-8-1 in conference play and sits in 11th place in the UCHC. The team fell 3-0 to Stevenson University in its last outing on January 14. The Dutchmen are led by Brad Viola, Cameron Croteau, and Blake Tosto who each have recorded six points this season. Four goalies have seen action in net this season, yet Ty Franchi has seen the most time. Franchi sports a 2-7-1 record with 379 saves and a .913 save percentage this season.
The Series: Dating back to the 2001-02 season, the Pioneers own a 23-3-1 all-time record against the Dutchmen. Over the last six meetings between the teams, Utica has gone 5-0-1 while having allowed just four goals during that span. In fact, over the last six matchups the Pioneers have out scored the Dutchmen 39-4 including 27-1 over three games last season. In the most recent matchup, Utica dominated Lebanon Valley 11-1 in the UCHC Quarterfinals, 11-1, while Justin Allen (Hilton, NY/Rochester Monarchs (NCDC)) passed All-Americans Dan Fritz and Dalton Carter for the most points in a career by a defenseman at Utica after having two assists that night. Nine different Pioneers scored in the playoff win while 14 recorded at least one point.
Up Next: No. 2 Utica and Nazareth College will meet for a home-and-home on January 27 and 28. The Pioneers will host the Golden Flyers on January 27 at 7 p.m. for Dunkin’ Night before traveling to Rochester, NY on January 28 for a 4 p.m. contest.
#14 Justin Allen D 6′ 2″ Graduate Student Sports Management
#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
#37 John Moncovich F 6′ 2″ Senior Business Management
#22 Remy Parker F 6′ 3″ Senior Communications
#12 Matt Wood F 5′ 11″ Sophomore Accounting
#36 Dante Zapata F 6′ 1″ Senior Business Economics and Finance
#24 Jakob Breault F 5′ 11″ Junior Business Administration Players Mentioned
#14 Justin Allen 6′ 2″ Graduate Student Sports Management D
#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
#37 John Moncovich 6′ 2″ Senior Business Management F
#22 Remy Parker 6′ 3″ Senior Communications F
#12 Matt Wood 5′ 11″ Sophomore Accounting F
#36 Dante Zapata 6′ 1″ Senior Business Economics and Finance F
#24 Jakob Breault 5′ 11″ Junior Business Administration F
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