Box Score

HERSHEY, Pa. - Lebanon Valley College frustrated defending national champion Neumann for the opening minutes on Saturday. but the Flying Dutchmen didn't take advantage and the Knights skated to a 6-0 win at Hersheypark Arena.

Neumann scored two goals in all three periods, led by Marlon Gardner's pair in the second period, for the ECAC West win. Matt Ward had three points for the Knights on a goal and two assists. Four other players had two points for Neumann as they improved to 5-4-2.

William Brown did all he could to give LVC a lead in the first few minutes, lugging the puck out of his end and into Neumann's zone, skating around any potential threat. After his first attempt towards goal was knocked aside, he chased down the defender and separated him from the puck with a big hit. Brown then fired a shot from the point on goal, but couldn't beat Matt Tendler.

Neumann got the first big break of the game at the 9:05 mark, when Matt Ward was able to slide the puck into an open net after LVC goalie Matthew Turner was recovering from a save he made with his facemask off a Brent Taname shot. Taname's slapper rode high on Turner, stinging the netminder momentarily, allowing Ward to hop on the open puck.

4:32 later, Sean Crozier one-timed a pass in the slot to open up the lead to 2-0 for Neumann.

In the second period, Gardner scored his first on a one-timer from the point on the power play. He first shot was blocked by an LVC defender, but the puck worked back to Gardner whose second offering found the back of the net just 20 seconds into the man advantage - and just one minute into the period. Just over two and a half minutes later, Gardner again scored on a one-timer to give the Knights a 4-0 lead.

In the third period, Brad Surdam had LVC's best chance of the afternoon, coming down the right-wing boards and cutting in front of a sliding Neumann defenseman. He deked around Tendler, but the goalie reached back with his stick to stop Surdam's shot.

Cory Park added to Neumann's lead at 7:17, potting his own rebound after his original shot was saved by Turner. Greg Virgo scored the final goal 47 seconds later, redirecting a pass from the corner up and over Turner's shoulder.

Turner was busy in goal for LVC, making 35 saves, many of which were of the point-blank variety or off rebounds.

The Flying Dutchmen struggled on the power play, going scoreless on nine opportunities.

LVC is off until the new year when the Dutchmen head to the Nichols New Year Tournament in Rhode Island.