ROCHESTER, N.Y. - The Neumann University men's ice hockey team picked up a crucial road win in United Collegiate Hockey Conference (UCHC) action on Sunday afternoon, taking down host Nazareth College by a score of 4-3.
 
Barry Kneedler paced the Neumann offense on the afternoon with a goal and an assist, while Clay Boyd, Mario Tropea and Justin Weinbrener also scored for the Knights. Kyle Pantelone continued his strong recent play in goal, stopping 38 shots to pick up the win.
 
Neumann's opening 20 minutes of play would be the team's best start to a game so far this season. The Knights jumped all over the Golden Flyers in the first frame, racing out to a three goal lead in the first ten minutes of play. An early Nazareth penalty led to the first Neumann goal, as Tropea lit the lamp on the ensuing power play to put the Knights up 1-0 just 2:23 into the game. An individual effort from Weinbrener doubled the visitors' lead four and a half minutes later, then Kneedler found the back of the net at the nine minute mark to make it 3-0 midway through the frame. After chasing the Nazareth starting net-minder after the third goal, Neumann wasn't finished. The Knights capped off a perfect period with the team's second power play goal of the frame via Boyd to make it 4-0 heading to the first intermission.
 
Nazareth got back into the game in the second stanza with a goal midway through the period. The Knights had several power play opportunities late in the frame to add to their lead, but they could not gain any insurance as the game remained 4-1 heading to the third.
 
The Golden Flyers made things very interesting in the third, scoring twice the first half of the period to make it 4-3 with 10:17 left to play. Nazareth fired 17 shots towards the Neumann goal in the frame, but Pantelone was excellent in helping to preserve the tight lead late. Still trailing by a goal in the final minute of the game, the hosts pulled their goalie for an extra attacker, but could not solve Pantelone as the Knights skated away with the crucial 4-3 conference win.
 
Neumann (6-12-0, 5-6 UCHC) now moves into a tie with Nazareth for fifth place in the UCHC standings. The Knights will return to the ice next Friday, January 31st with an away contest at Lebanon Valley College. Puck-drop at the Hershey Park Arena is scheduled for 7:00 PM.