HARRISBURG, Pa. – Elmira College scored four unanswered goals over the game's opening 24:54 and never looked back, as the Soaring Eagles defeated Lebanon Valley 7-3 in ECAC West ice hockey action Friday evening at Twin Ponds East.
With its win, coupled with Hobart's 3-2 overtime victory over Neumann, Elmira (14-8-2, 7-6-1) clinched a berth in the upcoming ECAC West playoffs.
The Soaring Eagles received two goals and one assist from junior Justin Joy while sophomore forward Michael Richard added one goal and three assists.
Lebanon Valley (4-20, 0-14 ECAC West) was playing only its eighth game ever at Twin Ponds East and its first since the 2003-04 season. The Flying Dutchmen's loss snapped a three-game winning streak at the arena, where they lost for the first time since a 5-2 setback to UMass-Dartmouth on Nov. 13, 1999.
After Elmira's quick 4-0 start, which included goals from four different players, the Dutchmen got on the scoreboard via a power-play goal from senior Cameron Vandeveer, his fifth tally of the season, with 9:33 left in the second period. But the Soaring Eagles came right back with a pair of goals over a 3:00 span to make it 6-1 with 5:12 remaining in the stanza. However, sophomore Justin Todd converted another LVC power play 56 seconds before the end of the period for his team-leading 13th goal of the season to cut the deficit to four heading into the final frame.
It was a 6-3 game with 9:11 on the clock after a short-handed goal, his sixth tally of the year, from senior Chris Finnerty, but Elmira halted the LVC rally with the game's final goal one minute later.
Sophomore Craig Vardy started in net for Lebanon Valley and suffered the loss. He surrendered Elmira's first four goals and made 20 saves in 24:54 of action. Senior Sonny Holding came on to play the final 35:06, and he stopped 23 shots while letting in three goals.
Senior Greg Fargo posted 13 saves to get the win for Elmira.
The two teams meet again on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. back on Twin Ponds East in Lebanon Valley's season finale.
Elmira 3 3 1 - 7
Lebanon Valley 0 2 1 - 3
FIRST PERIOD
E – Andrew Bedford (Ashton McLean, Brandon Rose), 9:46
E – Dave McKenna (Darcy Pettie), 14:45
E – Mark Mazzetti (Justin Joy, Michael Richard), 15:25
SECOND PERIOD
E – Justin Joy (Michael Richard, Russell Smith), ppg, 4:54
LV – Cameron Vandeveer (Alex Beatrice, Bert Malloy), ppg, 10:27
E – Justin Joy (Michael Richard, Andrew Morris), ppg, 11:48
E – Michael Richard (Ashton McLean), 14:48
LV – Justin Todd (Jeff Smith), ppg, 19:04
THIRD PERIOD
LV – Chris Finnerty (unassisted), shg, 10:49
E – Brandon Rose (Stefan Schoen), 11:49
Shots: Elmira 50. Lebanon Valley 16.
Saves: Elmira (Greg Fargo) 13. Lebanon Valley (Craig Vardy [24:54] 20, Sonny Holding [35:06] 23) 43.
Power Plays: Elmira 2 for 7. Lebanon Valley 2 for 6.
Penalties: Elmira 9 for 18. Lebanon Valley 10 for 20.
Team Records: Elmira 14-8-2 (7-6-1 ECAC West). Lebanon Valley 4-20 (0-14 ECAC West).
[Photo - Sophomore Justin Todd, who scored his team-high 13th goal of the season against Elmira on Friday]
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