UTICA, N.Y. (WKTV) - The Neumann University men's hockey team scored two goals in a span of 41 seconds late in the second period as the visiting Knights went on to seal a convincing 5-0 victory over nationally-ranked No. 10 Utica College in ECAC Men's West Conference play in front of 3,317 fans at the Utica Memorial Auditorium Friday night. The Pioneers outshot the Knights by a convincing margin of 39-21, but Neumann goalie Ross MacKinnon stopped all 39 shots and also fended off all 11 of the Pioneers' power-play opportunities, to earn the shutout victory.  

The Knights, who have defeated UC in six consecutive meetings, improved their overall record to 13-7-1 and they also moved their conference record to 3-6-1.  Neumann snapped a five game winless streak and moved to within two points of the Pioneers (15-7-1, 4-5-1 ECAC West) in the conference standings. 

Ryan Dreger led the way for the Knights with two goals, including a breakaway tally with 44 seconds left in the second period, to put the visitors on top by four goals.  Dreger, who was playing in just his sixth game of the year, netted his fourth goal of the season just 41 seconds after Chris Bournazos put the Knights up 3-0 at the 18:35 mark of the second period. 

Dreger gave Neumann a 1-0 lead 6:04 into the first period of play after an assist from Bill Foster.  Foster would later add an unassisted empty netter in the third period to close out the scoring at the 14:15 mark of the final stanza.
 
Cory Park added a second period goal as Neumann won the first of a two game weekend series at the Aud.  Both teams return to the ice on Saturday night as the Pioneers host senior night at the Aud. The puck is scheduled to drop at 7 p.m.

UC goalie Evan Smith made ten saves in net for UC before being replaced at the beginning of the third period by sophomore classmate Nick Therrien.  Therrien went on to stop six shots in net for UC.