(BOX SCORE)

UTICA, NY—Nationally-ranked No. 8-ranked Utica (6-3) scored seven unanswered goals to skate away with a 9-3 victory over visiting Buffalo State (5-5-1) in a non-conference game tonight at the Utica War Memorial Auditorium.

After skating to a 1-1 draw through the opening 20 minutes, Buffalo State took a 3-2 lead with 5:52 remaining in the second period.  Utica evened the score with a power-play marker before the second stanza ended, and then exploded for six goals in the final frame to pull away for the convincing win.

Trevor McKinney (Oakwood, ON/Sinclair) netted a pair of goals for Buffalo State.  Nick Melligan (Sanborn, NY/Niagara-Wheatfield) also scored, and Justin Knee (Centralia, ON/South Huron) had a pair of assists.

Kevin Carr (Unionville, ON/Unionville) allowed eight goals on 40 shots, before Ryan Malinowski (E. Amherst, NY/Williamsville North) allowed one goal on three shots in the final 6:10.  Utica outshot Buffalo State, 43-28.

Buffalo State will host another ECAC West opponent Hobart on Wednesday at 7 p.m.