WILKES-BARRE – Despite a strong second period, the Wilkes men's ice hockey team was unable to overcome a three-goal deficit in the first 20 minutes of play and ultimately fell to the No. 4 Utica Pioneers 5-1 on Sunday afternoon at the Toyota SportsPlex.
 
The Colonels dropped to 4-3-0 on the season and 2-2-0 in UCHC competition. Utica advanced to 6-0-2 overall and 5-0-1 in conference play.
 
Prior to the opening face off, Wilkes recognized the life and legacy of their equipment manager Julia Mazur, who sadly passed away on Saturday after a hard-fought battle with cancer. The tribute included a touching message from a member of the Toyota SportsPlex staff, who spoke about Julia's incredible spirit and work ethic.
 
The Pioneers got on the board at 2:34 into the contest when Alexander Gullichsen picked off a pass in the Colonels' zone and sent a well-placed shot that hit the corner of the post, redirected downwards and tumbled into the corner. Officials blew the play dead, saying that the puck landed behind the goal line. Gullichsen's first of the season gave Utica a 1-0 lead.
 
The Wilkes penalty kill unit got some early work at 4:01. Thanks to a pair of blocks by Luke Dobles (Spencerport, NY/) and Matt Carlson (Delmar, NY/) along with a save by goaltender Jack Perna (Sykesville, MD/), the Colonels were able to keep the Pioneers off the board while on the man advantage.
 
Shortly after the power play expired, however, Dante Spagnuolo would add to the Pioneers' lead on a shot from the blue line that found its way through traffic and into the goal. Preston Brighton and Matt Wood were awarded assists on the goal at 6:11.
 
Utica would score once more before heading into the first intermission. While on the penalty kill, Wood pinned himself against the boards to block a Wilkes pass and took the puck up-ice before sending a pass to Aiden Hughes, who finished the play. The 3-0 goal came at 18:44.
 
The Colonels put together several stretches of good offensive pressure in the second period, forcing the Utica defense to make various saves and blocks. They were finally rewarded for their efforts when Max Cocchi (Ludlow, MA/) stole the puck in the neutral zone, danced around a defender and slid a pass over to Jimmy O'Kane (Chicago, IL/Notre Dame Prep). O'Kane found a wide-open Nick Swain (Jackson, NJ/) in front of the goal, who tapped the puck in to get the Colonels on the board. O'Kane and Cocchi picked up helpers on Swain's 3-1 tally at 12:32 into the middle frame.
 
Shortly after the start of the final period, the Pioneers headed back to the man advantage. While stationed directly in front of the net, Hughes extended the Utica lead with his second goal of the game at 2:50. Jakob Breault and Khrstian Acosta were credited with assists on the tic-tac-toe power play goal.
 
The Pioneers would tack on one more goal at 16:02 on a Brian Scoville shot from the point. Assists went to Griffen Barr and Spagnuolo on the 5-1 marker.
 
Swain picked up the lone Colonel goal on the afternoon. Patrick Roginski (Shelby Twp., MI/) led all Wilkes skaters with five shots on goal, followed by Swain and Miles Harrington (McDonough, GA) who each recorded three. Billy Berry (Redding, CT) blocked four shots and won ten faceoffs through 60 minutes of play. Perna made 24 saves between the pipes.
 
Hughes drove the Utica offense with a pair of goals. His four shots on goal were good for a share of the team lead, which he split with Michael Herrera and Austin D'Orazio. The Pioneers held a slight edge in faceoffs, winning 51.9 percent of draws. Bryan Landsberger made 22 saves in net.
 
The Colonels are back in action on Wednesday, November 22 when they make the short trip to visit cross-town UCHC opponent King's College. Puck drop is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.