Pittsburgh, Pa. - On Friday the Cougars (7-11-2) hosted the Utica Pioneers (16-2-2) who had previously never lost to Chatham. This game would be different however as the Cougars won a shootout 2-0 and drew the game 3-3. This was the largest upset by any Chatham athletic team in school history.

In the first period, the Pioneers jumped out to an early 1-0 lead when they scored seven-and-a-half minutes into the game. That was the only goal in the first period, which ended with multiple offsetting penalties.

In the second period, the Pioneers grew to a 2-0 lead less than a minute into the period. The Cougars would answer back with a goal later in the period when Tyler Samodral scored on an assist from Nick Cyprian. That made the score 2-1 as the teams headed to the locker rooms after the second.

The Pioneers scored another goal nine minutes into the third period to give themselves a 3-1 lead. The Cougars would not go quietly however when Zack Conner scored on a power play assisted by Jacob Ammar and Nick Cyprian. That pulled the Cougars back within one goal. They would tie it up less than four minutes later when Nick Cyprian scored on the assists from Tyler Samodral and True Crowe. That was the score at the end of regulation and sent the Cougars to their fourth overtime game in their last five games.

In overtime the Cougars and Pioneers were unable to score in the five minute period. The Cougars were only able to manage two shots on goal to the Pioneers five in overtime. That sent the game to the shootout where the Cougars won the three round shootout 2-0. Michael Roby and Brendan Pomerantz scored the Cougars goals in the shootout.

The Cougars were led offensively by Cyprian who recorded three points for the Cougars scoring the game tying goal and assisting on the other two Cougar goals. Defensively, Milan Cermak recorded five blocked shots to help goalie Geno Pichora. Pichora made 47 saves and recorded a .940 save rate in the game. 

The Cougars and Pioneers will go for round two on Saturday February 8th at 3 PM in Hunt Armory.