Story Created:
Oct 30, 2009 at 10:52 PM EST
Story Updated:
Oct 30, 2009 at 11:48 PM EST
UTICA, N.Y. (WKTV) - Sophomore forward Tim Coffman scored the game-tying goal with one second remaining in regulation to erase a two goal deficit as the Utica College men's hockey team (0-0-1) tied defending national champion Neumann University (2-0-1) 4-4 in ECAC Men's West Conference play Friday night.
“I thought our guys played a great game with the exception of that seven minute stretch in the third period. We played smart and physical for the first two periods and we also showed a ton of resiliency by battling back after falling behind by two goals late in the game,” said Head Coach Gary Heenan.
The third period proved to be an exciting one and it featured seven of the game’s eight goals, including four straight from Neumann and the final two goals of the contest by the Pioneers.
UC opened up a 2-0 lead behind a first period goal from freshman Eric Peterson and a third period goal from Matt Fitzgibbons.
Neumann answered with four consecutive goals in a span of 7:03 midway through the third period to take a 4-2 lead.
The Pioneers answered right back by cutting the Knights' lead to 4-3 after Brian Gibbons netted a power-play goal at the 13:23 mark.
As the crowd of 2,795 began to exit the building but the Pioneers pulled the goalie with under one minute to go and with just under one second left on the clock UC's Tim Coffman slipped a wrist shot past Neumann goalie Ross MacKinnon to send the contest into overtime.
The Knights outshot the Pioneers 3-2 in the overtime stanza but neither team could find the back of the net as they skated to a 4-4 tie.
Matt Fitzgibbons and Russell Anderson each scored two points for the Pioneers, while eight other UC players tallied one point. Aaron Keaney scored two goals for the Knights, while eight other Neumann players tallied one point.
The Pioneers outshot the Knights 33-25 on the day and UC went 1-for-5 on the power play compared to the Knight’s 0-for-7 performance with a one man advantage.
Senior goalie Anthony Luckow stopped 21 shots in net for Utica, while MacKinnon stopped 29 shots in 65 minutes of work for Neumann.
These two teams will meet against next Friday as the Pioneers host the second annual AmeriCU ‘Pink The Rink’ event at the Aud. The contest is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. The Pioneers will wear special edition pink jersey’s that will be auctioned off throughout the contest with all proceeds benefiting the American Cancer Society. Live video and stats will be available at ww.ucpioneers.com.
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