UTICA, N.Y. – Utica scored three unanswered goals over the opening 10:04 of the third period to open up a 4-1 lead and the Pioneers held on to defeat Lebanon Valley 5-3 in ECAC West ice hockey action Friday evening.

Utica (11-8-3, 6-4-2 ECAC West) never trailed after scoring 3:26 into the game. Lebanon Valley (4-18, 0-12 ECAC West) tied it up midway through the opening period following a short-handed goal from junior Alex  Beatrice, and the scoreboard read 1-1 at the first intermission.

The Pioneers struck quickly in the second period, scoring twice in one minute during the opening 2:36 before adding a third goal midway through the stanza to make it 4-1. But with 3:56 left in the frame, senior Jason Slusher scored unassisted for LVC to pull the Flying Dutchmen to within one. Utica answered with a power-play with 29 seconds left in the period before, with one second showing on the clock, Slusher scored unassisted again to set the final score. Neither team found the back of the net in the third period.

Sophomore Craig Vardy made 39 saves for Lebanon Valley while Adam Dekker needed just 13 saves to earn the win in goal for the Pioneers.

Lebanon Valley and Utica complete their season series on Saturday with a 7 p.m. tilt back at Utica.

Lebanon Valley  1   2   0   -   3
Utica               1   4   0   -   5

FIRST PERIOD
U – TJ Schneider (Tony Wiseman), 3:26
LV – Alex Beatrice (Cameron Vandeveer), shg, 11:45
SECOND PERIOD
U – Colin Kingston (Tony Wiseman, Kevin Krogol), 1:36
U – Tiger Marcotte (unassisted), 2:36
U – Phil Boots (Nick Lynch), 10:04
LV – Jason Slusher (unassisted), 16:04
U – Tony Wiseman (Nick Lynch, Joe Watson), ppg, 19:31
LV – Jason Slusher (unassisted), 19:59
THIRD PERIOD
No scoring

Shots: Lebanon Valley 16. Utica 44.
Saves: Lebanon Valley (Craig Vardy) 39. Utica (Adam Dekker) 13.
Penalties: Lebanon Valley 6 for 12. Utica 6 for 12.
Power Plays: Lebanon Valley 0 for 6. Utica 1 for 6.
Team Records: Lebanon Valley 4-18, 0-12 ECAC West. Utica 11-8-3, 6-4-2 ECAC West.

-lvc-