UTICA, N.Y. – Sophomore
Ethan Stuckless (Conception Bay South, Newfoundland) scored his fourth goal in the last three games, but #4 Utica University held on to top Plymouth State University, 5-3, in the opening game of the Delta by Marriott Thanksgiving Showcase at Adirondack Bank Center on Friday night.
PSU scored in the opening minute, but the Pioneers responded just 24 seconds later to pull even. The score would remain tied into the second period, when the hosts ripped off three straight goals for a 4-1 advantage.
Stuckless scored on a power play and junior
Matt Tartaglio (Houston, Texas) cut the deficit to 4-3 early in the third period, but Utica would hold on despite a flurry of PSU shots and a late insurance goal gave the Pioneers the win.
Plymouth State slips to 4-3-1, while Utica, ranked #4 in the latest USCHO Men's Hockey Poll, moves to 7-2-0.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 3, #4 Utica 5
- Plymouth State (4-3-1)
- Utica (7-2-0)
How it Happened:
- Sophomore Anton Jellvik (Taby, Sweden) gave the Panthers a quick lead when he received a pass from junior Carson Lanceleve (Stewiacke, Nova Scotia) at the left faceoff circle and snapped a wrist shot past the Utica goaltender just 55 seconds into play.
- The Pioneers answered only 24 seconds later on a rebound goal to square things at 1-1.
- PSU had a late chance in the final minute when Lanceleve found himself in front, but his turnaround shot was denied, and the game went into the first intermission tied at 1-1.
- The hosts pulled in front at the 5:52 mark of the second after banging home a rebound following a 3-on-2 break.
- Utica expanded the lead 14:25 into the middle period, then pushed the margin to 4-1 with just under three minutes before intermission.
- Plymouth State continued its trend of scoring late in a period when Stuckless redirected a shot by senior Niks Krollis (Riga, Latvia) from the blue line with just 12 seconds before the horn sounded to make it a 4-2 game.
- Tartaglio made it a one-goal game when he stuffed in a rebound on the far side off a blast from sophomore Dante Moretti (Powell, Ohio) 1:37 into the third period.
- The Panthers continued to press for the game-tying goal, doubling up Utica in shots in the final stanza, but the Pioneers restored the two-goal advantage with 3:33 left in regulation and PSU was unable to rally.
By the Numbers:
- Stuckless has been on a scoring binge of late, with four goals and six points over the last four games. His five tallies on the year are one off the team lead.
- Jellvik also potted his firth of the year, with Tartaglio lighting the lamp for the second time this season.
- With his two assists, Lanceleve extends his season-long points streak. He leads the Panthers with 12 points (six goals, six assists).
- Stevens, Krollis, Moretti and junior Jeromey Rancourt (Lewiston, Maine) also picked up assists.
- Utica held a 39-35 edge in shots, though Plymouth State outshot the Pioneers, 18-9, in the third period.
- PSU went 1-for-2 on the power play, while the Panthers' penalty kill was perfect in three chances.
- Senior Brendahn Brawley (Morton, Pa.) made 34 saves in the losing effort.
- Utica has won all three meetings between the two teams.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State closes the Delta by Marriott Thanksgiving Showcase against Trine on Sunday (Nov. 27). Puck drop is set for 3:00 p.m.
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