UTICA, NY - An early 2-0 lead was not enough for Nazareth, as Utica scored five unanswered goals to defeat the Golden Flyers, 5-2. The Pioneers (13-3, 7-2 in UCHC play) outpaced Nazareth (8-8-2, 5-3-1 in the UCHC) offensively, sending an onslaught of shots from the beginning. Utica finished with 40 shots, compared to just 17 for Nazareth. With the victory, the Pioneers seize a one-and-a-half game lead atop the UCHC.

Utica opened the game aggressively, outshooting the Golden Flyers 19-4 in the first period, but it was Nazareth who held the lead after twenty minutes. During an early power play three minutes in, John Power fed the puck to Austin Romzek, who was waiting next to the goal for the first score of the game. Then, on a shorthanded play midway through the period, James McDonald won a face-off and immediately took a shot, firing the puck past the Pioneers' goaltender, Patrik Virtanen, to double Nazareth's lead. The Golden Flyers led 2-0 at the first intermission.

The Pioneers eventually got on the board with a shorthanded goal of their own, courtesy of Roman Ammirato, nearly 16 minutes through the second period. Ammirato followed it up with his second goal of the game just 1:09 later, and Jacob Gerson scored Utica's third goal in under a two minute span to give the Pioneers a 3-2 lead with 2:30 remaining in the period.

Nazareth was unable to capitalize on a brief 5-3 man advantage seven minutes into the third period. Thirty seconds later, on a power play, David Powlowski had an open look coming down the left wing, but his shot was just off the mark.

With 7:41 remaining in the game, Utica's Dalton Carter scored five seconds into a Pioneers' power play, threading a long shot through Nazareth's defense, extending the lead to 4-2.

Utica's fifth and final goal came with less than two minutes left as Gregg Burmaster fired a shot from the top of the left wing circle into the net.
Nazareth had eight power play opportunities, but managed to score on only one of them.

Goalie Michael Tilford saved 35 of the 40 shots sent his way.

Nazareth will continue with conference play, traveling to Elmira for its next game on January 26 at 7 pm.