ROCHESTER,  NY – The Nazareth men's ice hockey team gave #2 Utica all it could handle on Saturday night, as the Golden Flyers surrendered a late goal in the third period to fall 2-1 on Saturday night for the Don Litzelman Foundation Face-off Against Cancer Game.
 
Nazareth drops to 6-9-2 overall and 2-8-2 in league play, while Utica moves to 14-2-1 and 10-1-1, respectively.
 
The Pioneers made good on their first power play of the game, scoring just :11 seconds into the extra-man opportunity to open the scoring near the midway point of the first.
 
Nazareth, however, responded with a goal of its own just :25 seconds later from Liam Quinlivan, his fourth of the season. Joey Schaefer won a battle on the boards and threw the puck in front to an open Quinlivan for a tap-in goal. Kai Shen also picked up an assist. 
 
It was 1-1 after one period. 

The highlight of the second period was at the 12:41 mark when Matt Sayles stoned Aiden Uti Hughes on a penalty shot. He finished the game with 29 saves.
 
Utica was eventually able to get a goal with less than eight minutes left in the third period which would prove to be the game-winner.
 
Nazareth has some pivotal UCHC matchups against Chatham and Manhattanville in consecutive weekends.