On Sunday, March 30, Utica University’s Men’s hockey team reached the Division III National Championship for the first time in school history. Faculty and students were fired up about the game, along with the local community members cheering on the Pioneers.

The energy was electrifying walking up the stairs of the Nexus Center. As the crowd started to pour in, Pioneer hockey fans shared how they felt about the team’s first ever trip to the championship and how they enjoyed the Frozen Four weekend experience in Utica.

Fans were delighted to be a part of something so big and packed the spirited arena, many were decked out in orange Pioneer gear and there were some young kids with the letters G-O U-T-I-C-A U-C painted on their chest who jumped excitedly during the game.

Bernard Williams from New Hartford has been to over a thousand hockey games, but being a local meant his loyalty lies with Utica. “This is a great atmosphere, both teams are great, I’m just pulling for Utica to win the game,” Williams said.

John Casolini, a 1981 Utica University (then Utica College) graduate, attended the game and said Utica did not have hockey teams during his undergrad years. He said being at the championship game was an unbelievable experience.

“This team here is amazing and to be here from the National Championships is beyond anything that any of us could ever have imagined when we were in undergrad.”

Though the game ended in heart breaking fashion as the Pioneers came up short in overtime 2-1, many fans and family stayed to watch the award ceremony and provided a lasting ovation to the team that provided what was undeniably Utica Men’s hockey’s greatest season.