Courtesy of Utica College

UTICA, N.Y. – Sophomore forward Jon Gaffney netted two goals to guide the 12th-ranked Utica College men's hockey team to a 3-0 shutout victory over sixth-ranked Amherst College in front of 2,873 fans Saturday evening at the Utica Memorial Auditorium.

Amherst snapped a four-game winning streak and dropped to 12-3-1 overall on the year. Nathan Corey '13 made 22 saves in net for the visitors, but Utica (12-5-1) managed to score one goal in each period.  

Steve Charest and Chris Santiago were each credited with an assist on Gaffney's two goals, while sophomore goalie Evan Smith stopped 12 shots for his first collegiate shutout.  

The hosts got on the board midway through the first period when Gaffney put home his ninth goal of the season. The Lord Jeffs killed two Utica power plays early in the period, as the Pioneers managed a 12-2 shot advantage in the first 20 minutes of action.

Utica was able to push its lead to 2-0 late in the second period when Rob Morton slipped his fourth goal of the season past Corey at the 16:55 mark. The Pioneers sealed the 3-0 victory 6:02 into the third period of play when a persistent Gaffney shoved home a loose puck for his 10th score of the year and second of the evening. 

Utica is now 10-1-1 this season while playing at home in front of the largest average crowd in all of NCAA Division III hockey.

The Lord Jeffs will conclude their nine-game road trip next weekend by taking on Wesleyan Saturday at 7 p.m. and Trinity Sunday at 3 p.m.