Ice Knights triumph over the Utica Pioneers in first UCHC championship
Photo courtesy of Geneseoknights.com
The Geneseo men’s hockey team has met expectations and risen to every challenge that has come their way during this spectacular season. In what was unquestionably their biggest game of the season, the Ice Knights were set to battle the top seed in the United Collegiate Hockey Conference (UCHC), the Utica Pioneers, for the conference championship on Saturday, Mar. 8, in Utica.
Despite Utica’s higher seeding and Geneseo playing in enemy territory, the Ice Knights would not be denied as they triumphed over the Pioneers 7-3 on Saturday night. This victory was another crucial step in accomplishing their ultimate goal of winning the Division III Men’s Ice Hockey national championship. Firstly, though, we’ll break down how the Ice Knights took down Utica and cemented themselves as conference champions.
Geneseo percolated from the very onset of the game as sophomore forward Filip Wiberg found the back of the net just a minute into the period. The lone assist on the goal was credited to sophomore forward Luke Panchisin. Senior forward Stefan Miklakos would be the next Ice Knights to get in the action at 2:35 of the first, making it 2-0 Geneseo— but Geneseo didn’t seem satisfied as they continued to pour it on early. Freshman forward Gabriel Laflamme got in on the action, scoring his fourth of the season. Wiberg then blasted one past freshman Utica Pioneer goaltender Ryan Piros for his second goal of the game. The period would end with the Ice Knights leading 4-0.
The Utica Pioneers weren’t quite ready to roll over as their offensive got going in the second period. Utica scored three straight goals in minutes to cut Geneseo’s lead down to 4-3. Fortunately, the Ice Knights regained focus and showed their unwavering resilience by responding to the Pioneer's push with a pair of goals. The first one, coming at 10:53 of the second, was off the stick of freshman forward Jack Mcdonald. Mcdonald managed to deflect fellow freshman forward Payne Gatewood’s shot into the Pioneer's net to reestablish a multiple-goal lead.
Geneseo added another assurance goal when Sophomore forward Carter Diceman found himself alone on a breakaway and beat junior Pioneers goaltender Avery Sturtz for the Knights's sixth goal of the game. Geneseo’s 6-3 lead would hold as the period came to a close.
The Ice Knights' defense remained stout in the third, completely neutralizing the Pioneers' vaunted offensive. It was fitting that senior captain Peter Morgan would be the one to all but clinch the UCHC championship with his third-period tally at 11:05 of the period. Junior defenseman Dakota Zarudny had the lone assist on the goal. Senior goaltender Adam Harris was brilliant in goal for the Ice Knights, as he was able to save all 13 of Utica’s shots in the third period and close out the championship game. The game would conclude with the Ice Knights winning 7-3.
Geneseo’s first UCHC championship is their first conference championship since the 2022 season, which saw them make it to the national championship. This team will be looking to avenge that loss and win the program's first championship. Due to their championship victory over Utica, the Ice Knights received an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. Geneseo will learn their opponent at the NCAA selection show, which will take place on Monday, Mar. 10.