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ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Nazareth's hockey team defeated visiting Manhattanville 5-0 in an ECAC West hockey game on Friday evening. Sophomore Ben Blasko opened the scoring just 22 seconds into regulation. The Golden Flyers added a pair of additional goals in the first period then one goal apiece in the second and third periods. Sophomore Dominik Gabaj finished with a goal and two assists to lead Nazareth's offense. Friday's shutout was the first shutout victory in the three-year history of Nazareth's hockey program.

With the victory, the Golden Flyers improve to 3-2-1 overall and 2-1-1 in ECAC West contests. Following the loss, the Valiants fall to 1-3-1 overall and 1-3-1 in conference games.

Blasko's scoring chance was set up by a pass from the back boards behind Manhattanville's goal. Blasko one-timed classmate Dominik Gabaj's pass past the Valiants' Brian Fleming to put Nazareth on the board in the opening minute. Gabaj also created the Golden Flyers' second scoring chance by forcing a turnover at Nazareth's blue line. He led the Golden Flyers' in a three-on-two odd-man rush. Once inside the Valiants' zone, he sent a pass across the ice toward the right-wing boards, and freshman Oliver Janzen buried a shot from about five yards inside the blue line. Nazareth made it a three-goal game with 2:54 to play in the stanza after a Nazareth pass from the back boards bounced off a defenseman's skate and past the goal line. Gabaj was credited with the unassisted goal on the power play.

Midway through the second period, senior Julius Tamasy scored his first goal of the season after swatting a loose puck into the Valiants' net. The scoring chance originated with a loose puck that had been cleared into the Manhattanville zone. Fleming left the crease to play the puck, but a Nazareth forward reached it first and tried to swat toward the Manhattanville net. The initial attempt was wide but the Golden Flyers maintained the possession, and Tamasy connected on the second attempt toward the Valiants' net. Junior Tom Seravalli and freshman John Power received the assists on the play. About five minutes into the period, junior Rocky Gruttadauria also had a long shot from the right point ring off the post.

Nazareth made it a five-goal margin about five minutes into the third. Sophomore Justin LaCorte prevented a Manhattanville clear attempt at the Valiants' blue line. With most players at the right-wing boards, he found Gruttadauria open in front of Manhattanville's goal. Gruttadauria had time to fake an attempt low then lifted his actual shot into the open top-half of the net.

Junior Ed Zdolshek finished with 31 saves to earn the shutout. Fleming also had 31 saves in the loss. The Golden Flyers finished with a 36-31 advantage in total shots and recorded a 32-30 edge in faceoffs won. Tamasy and Gruttadauria each won nine faceoffs for Nazareth.

The Golden Flyers are in action again Saturday afternoon with another ECAC West contest. Nazareth hosts Neumann at 4 p.m. at Bill Gray's Regional Iceplex.