Box l Updated stats
UTICA, N.Y. -- Nazareth was 88 seconds away from knocking off 14th-ranked Utica in an ECAC West hockey game on Friday night when the host Pioneers scored the game-tying goal as the teams settled for a 2-2 tie. Utica managed to score by pulling its goalie and taking advantage of a Golden Flyer penalty to have a six-on-four advantage. In the overtime session, Nazareth junior Ed Zdolshek made three saves and Utica's Dylan Wells made one save.

Following the tie, the Golden Flyers stand at 1-0-1 overall and 0-0-1 in conference contests. After Friday's game, the Pioneers hold an identical 1-0-1 overall record and a 0-0-1 record in ECAC West games.

Utica scored early in the first period to take a quick advantage. From the point, Easton Powers sent a pass into the Nazareth slot, which Anthony McVeigh one-timed to the left of Zdolshek and just inside the post. Powers and Dalton Carter were credited with assists.

Before the end of the period, Nazareth knotted the contest at one goal apiece. With 9:35 to play in the stanza, the Golden Flyers took advantage of a Pioneers' turnover near center ice. Junior Tom Seravalli forced the puck back into the Utica defensive zone along the right boards facing the Pioneers net. After collecting the puck and carrying it to the right faceoff circle, he took a shot that was saved by Wells. Junior Packy Jones, however, buried the rebound into the back of the Pioneers' net.

The Golden Flyers took a one-goal lead toward the end of the second period. Nazareth scored short-handed after sophomore defenseman Geoff Bagnall was whistled for tripping. Bagnall was issued his penalty with 4:04 to play in the period, and Seravalli scored 50 seconds later to put the Golden Flyers ahead. Juniors Rocky Gruttadauria and Scott Andler recorded assists on the goal.

Nazareth maintained its lead until the final minutes of the third period. The Golden Flyers were whistled for another tripping penalty with junior Uthman Samaai going to the box with 3:01 to play in regulation. Zdolshek made four saves during the penalty kill before allowing the game-tying goal with 1:28 to play. Utica's Brent Wold collected the rebound from Zdolshek's third save and found the back of the net for the game-tying score. Carter and Justin Hogan had the assists.

Zdolshek finished with a game-high 37 saves while Wells made 29 saves. The Pioneers finished with a 39-31 advantage in shots on goal. The Golden Flyers' penalty kill units held Utica to 1 for 6 with the man advantage. The lone power play goal was in the final minutes of the period when the Pioneers had also pulled their goalie to give them a two-man advantage. It was the first power play goal the Golden Flyers have allowed this season. Nazareth only had one power play opportunity, which was unsuccessful.

The Golden Flyers and Pioneers play another ECAC West game Saturday evening at 7 p.m.