Box Score Box l Updated stats | Game-winning goal video
ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Sophomore Scott Dawson scored the game-winning goal with 1:38 remaining in overtime to lift host Nazareth to a 2-1 victory over nationally ranked Utica in an ECAC West hockey game on Friday evening at the Bill Gray's Regional Iceplex. Dawson's game-winning shot was from the point following a faceoff victory by freshman Ben Blasko.  Freshman Travis Hill also had an assist on the game-winning goal.

The victory was the first of the season in conference play for the Golden Flyers, who won their second game in a row overall and improved to 1-6-1 in ECAC West action and 4-12-1 overall. Utica came into the game ranked 10th nationally by USCHO.com and 11th by d3hockey.com. The Pioneers dropped to 10-4-3 overall and 5-2-1 in ECAC West contests.

Utica's Jon Gaffney opened the scoring 5:04 into the first period following a turnover in Nazareth's defensive zone. Luc Bobby intercepted the pass and found Gaffney. Gaffney's initial shot was saved but the puck bounced and spun over the goal line.

Nazareth answered just a few minutes later to tie the game. Following a shot from the point by senior Jordan Ciccarello, junior Tom Seravalli collected the puck in front of the Pioneers' goal and flipped a shot over the shoulder of goalie Nick Therrien with 11 minutes to play in the first period. Senior Mark Zavorinwas credited with an assist on the game-tying goal.

The second and third periods featured strong goaltending by Nazareth sophomore Ed Zdolshek, who amassed 20 saves between the periods. Zdolshek finished the game with 34 saves. Therrien also had 11 saves in the second period and three stops in the third. The Golden Flyers' penalty kill held the Pioneers scoreless on all seven of their man advantage opportunities. Nazareth went 0-3 on its power play chances.

Utica finished with a 34-29 advantage in total shots, however, Nazareth outshot the Pioneers 4-1 in the overtime session.

The Golden Flyers are in action again on Saturday, January 25th, when Nazareth travels to Geneseo for a non-conference game.