Box | Updated stats
ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Junior Don Olivieri scored a power play goal early in the third period for host Nazareth Friday to enable the Golden Flyer to come away with a 1-1 tie against Utica in the teams' final men's hockey game of the regular-season.

The tie gives Nazareth and Utica identical overall records of 11-9-5. Nazareth, however, finishes third in the ECAC West standings with a 7-4-4 conference record. Utica finishes fifth with a record of 4-8-3 in conference play. Neumann defeated Manhattanville, 5-2, Friday to clinch second-place and a first-round bye for this week's playoffs. Nazareth gets a home game Wednesday against sixth-place Manhattanville (7-13-5 overall, 2-11-2 ECAC West). Game time will be 7 p.m. at the Bill Gray's Regional Iceplex.

"We didn't play particularly well tonight for whatever reason," said Nazareth Coach George Roll, "but I'm pleased for our guys that we get to host a playoff game Wednesday."

The Golden Flyers were outplayed by the Pioneers for most of the game. Utica had a 38-22 overall advantage in shots on goal and had a 45-29 advantage in face offs won. Nazareth sophomore Brandon Lane, making his first start in goal since Jan. 10, played well for the Golden Flyers by making 37 saves. Utica goaltender Mike Taffe had 21 saves.

The game was scoreless until late in the second period when Utica took advantage of a 4-on-2 break and Justin Hogan scored his fourth goal of the season as he stuffed in a rebound of a shot that was initiated by Louie Educate. Luc Boby also gained an assist, at 15:10.

Nazareth had difficulty generating offense, but finally took advantage of a Utica penalty early in the third period to score a power play goal. Utica's Kevin Kirisits was whistled for cross checking at 2:44 and Olivieri delivered the tying goal, his ninth of the season, on a blast from the left point that eluded Taffe. Sophomores C.J. Murray and Justin LaCorte picked up the assists.

Utica had power play chances later in the period and in overtime, but the Golden Flyers successfully killed those off. Consecutive penalties to defenseman Mike Miller (for elbowing) and Marcus Moles (for interference) resulted in a 5-on-3 for the Pioneers for 57 seconds. Scott Andler blocked one shot and Lane made saves on three others to keep the game tied.

Then in overtime, senior Tom Seravalli was whistled for tripping with 1:57 left, but the Golden Flyers successfully killed the penalty as Lane made three more saves.

Before the game, the Golden Flyers honored their three seniors: Tom Missert, Seravalli and Julius Tamasy, who were playing in their final regular-season home game.

"Those three have done a great job in helping us get our program off to a solid start in just three seasons," said Roll.
,