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After their only two road games in January, the Pioneers returned home ready for a full weekend at the Forum, delivering an exciting stretch of hockey that resulted in a strong 3–1 record.
The weekend opened Friday night as the Pioneers hosted the Lewiston MAINEiacs in a physical and fast-paced matchup. Lewiston struck late in the first period, scoring with seconds remaining to take a 1–0 lead into the second. The MAINEiacs added another goal before the Pioneers answered when #3 Raskin recorded an unassisted goal with 7:50 remaining in the second period, cutting the deficit to 2–1 heading into the intermission. Both teams continued to battle, but Lewiston ultimately secured a 4–1 victory. In net, #1 Murat Shiyanov faced heavy pressure, making 54 saves on 58 shots.
The energy inside the Forum intensified Saturday night as the Pioneers and MAINEiacs met again. Lewiston opened the scoring, but the Pioneers responded quickly when #10 McCarron set up #20 Strandberg to even the game at 1–1 by the end of the first period.
The Pioneers carried that momentum into the second period, taking the lead less than a minute in when #13 Ward connected with the Matushak brothers as #7 K. Matushak set up #8 G. Matushak to make it 2–1. The score held until the third period, when the Pioneers extended their lead on a power-play goal. #3 Raskin found #8 G. Matushak, who set up #7 K. Matushak to push the lead to 3–1 with 15:02 remaining. Lewiston responded with two late goals to force overtime, but the Pioneers sealed the victory midway through the extra period when #10 McCarron connected with #3 Raskin, who found #33 Levins for the game-winning goal in a 4–3 win.
The Pioneers returned Sunday to face the Chiefs at the Forum. The Chiefs jumped out to a 2–0 lead in the first period before the Pioneers answered during a power play. #10 McCarron found #9 Heron, who connected with #27 Leverett with 5:36 remaining in the period, cutting the lead to 2–1.
The Pioneers continued their comeback early in the second period when #26 G. Eckdahl connected with #6 Huyber, who found #23 Schaentzler to tie the game. The momentum continued as #7 K. Matushak found #13 Ward, who set up #10 McCarron for a power-play goal with 3:25 remaining in the period, giving the Pioneers their first lead of the game. The Chiefs responded late in the period with a power-play goal, tying the game 3–3.
The Matushak brothers took control in the third period. #10 McCarron set up #7 K. Matushak, who found #8 G. Matushak to give the Pioneers a 4–3 lead. Later in the period, #3 Raskin connected with #7 K. Matushak, who once again found his brother for another goal at 14:27. The duo wasn’t finished, as #6 Huyber set up #7 K. Matushak, who completed the connection with #8 G. Matushak for an empty-net goal to secure a 6–3 victory. Goaltender #35 Julius Kolari delivered a strong performance, finishing with a .940 save percentage.
The weekend concluded with the Pioneers facing the Woodstock Slammers, looking to secure a 3–1 weekend. The first period remained scoreless before the Slammers struck early in the second period. The Pioneers responded early in the third when #17 Ro connected with #29 Patterson, who found #27 Leverett with 16:14 remaining to tie the game 1–1. Woodstock answered quickly, but the Pioneers refused to back down. On a power play, #10 McCarron found #8 G. Matushak, who set up #7 K. Matushak to tie the game 2–2 and force overtime.
With overtime nearing its end, the Pioneers completed the comeback when #23 Schaentzler found #9 Heron, who connected with #21 Fiore for the game-winning goal in a 3–2 victory. Shiyanov recorded 32 saves on 34 shots in the win.
The strong performances across the weekend allowed the Pioneers to finish their homestand with three wins and one loss, building momentum as the season continues.