LVC Starters
Healy (G), A. Thomas (D), Reno (D), Hefferin (RW), Godfrey (LW), Thurby (C)

WCU Starters
Rice (G), Muncie (LW), Swahl (D), Billones (F), Opdenaker (D), Whitacre (C)

How It Happened
No. 11 Lebanon Valley celebrated senior night by blanking West Chester 4-0 on Friday night at Hersheypark Arena. The Dutchmen improved to 23-5-0-0, 13-5-0-0 ESCHL, while the Rams fell to 9-18-0-0, 2-16-0-0 ESCHL.
Before the game, seniors Healy, A. Thomas, Reno, VandeZande, Hefferin, Godfrey, Horst, and Thurby were honored on Senior Night.

LVC was the first to light the lamp in the first period with 13:42 remaining when Zach McKown scored on a rebound with assists by Mike Straub and Bryan Hovanec for the 1-0 lead. That score held up for the remainder of the first period and the Dutchmen went into the first intermission with a one-goal advantage.

In the second period, LVC didn't waste much time finding the back of the net as Matthew Reno rocketed a shot from the point at 18:10 from Travis Hall and Cody Pessig to increase the Dutchmen's lead to 2-0, which was the score heading into the final period of action.

Once again, LVC was quick to score in the third period as Hovanec scored off terrific feeds from Russ Armbruster and Joey LaBonte to make it 3-0, and later Jake Thomas added a power play goal from Horst and Travis Acker for the 4-0 advantage as LVC played tremendous defense and outstanding goaltending that kept the Rams off the scoreboard in LVC's 4-0 shutout.

Three Stars
For his goal and assist, Hovanec was named the third star and Reno's second-period goal earned him second-star status. With 17 saves and the shutout, Healy was named the first star.

Inside the Numbers
 - Hovanec earned his team-leading 34th and 35th point this evening.
 - The Dutchmen dominated West Chester in shots at 40-17.
 - Healy improved to 4-1, while the Rams' goalie Michael Rice slipped to 7-13.

Senior Night
Prior to tonight's contest, LVC celebrated its eight seniors on Senior Night. Quotes from head coach Don Parsons about his eight seniors can be read below:

Number 1, Matt Healy: In the words of head coach Don Parsons, "Matt was literally the first recruit I spoke to after accepting the job at LVC. He was also the first to take a visit and the first to commit to our program while I was here.  Matt has been a huge part of our success on and off the ice. He has proven that he can be one of the best goalies in the ACHA, as well as an incredible teammate and student athlete. Matt has taken most of the responsibilities in making our Military appreciation game a huge success for the last two years. It's been a pleasure watching Matt grow as a goalie and more importantly as a person and fine young man the last four years!"
 
Number 3, Adam Thomas: "I am fortunate to say that I have coached Adam for 6 years," said Coach Parsons. "I met Adam seven years ago while I was coaching the JR Bears Midget Triple-A team. He hasn't changed much since that time, and has always been mature beyond his age and would never step on the ice without giving 100%, whether it was for a championship game or 3-on-3 optional practice. Adam carries that characteristic in everything he does from hockey, to family, friends and life in general. He is a fierce competitor on the ice and a very mild mannered young man off the ice. I am lucky to have been able to coach Adam all these years. It's hard to say if I will ever find anyone as dependable as Adam again in my coaching life time."
 
Number 5, Matthew Reno: From Coach Parsons, "Matt has been our defensive leader for the last three years since transferring in from Becker College.  He has been dependable as an offensive and defensive defenseman playing both power play and penalty kill.  Matt goes about his business without complaint or question and is often his own biggest critic when making the smallest of mistakes. I will miss Matt here at LVC not only as a player on our team but a great young man and fine example to his teammates".
 
Number 6, PJ Hefferin: "PJ has been an integral part of our team in his three years here," said Coach Parsons. He has been a captain for two years and PJ is a leader in the locker room, helping in all situations on and off the ice. I believe his biggest asset as a captain is his ability to lead by example.  He would put his face in front of a puck to stop it from entering our net, never misses a line when we skate lines at practice, and will go the extra mile whenever a teammate needs help or advice. I can't remember me ever asking PJ to work harder.  PJ's overall maturity and dedication will be missed and will be hard to replace!"
 
Number 7, Gaige VandeZande: "Gaige was an un-recruited kid out of North Carolina", said Coach Parsons. I met him at LVC Live as a very excited kid coming into LVC to become a dentist and a hockey player. I think at first he was a little surprised at the skill level we play here at LVC. Most kids are, but a kid from North Carolina who scored at will where he played was in for a culture shock. It took him a little more time than normal to understand that hockey was a bit different and struggled his freshmen year. I told Gaige what he needed to do in order to become a regular in the lineup and he came back ready for his sophomore year. He put on about 15 pounds of muscle and dramatically changed his style on the ice to conform to what role I needed him to play. Unfortunately, his next two seasons were stricken by injuries and ultimately had to leave the game his senior year. He has remained as a part of the team helping us coach during practice, do video and stats during games, as well as being a normal everyday teammate. Gaige will do very well in life as he has proven his dedication, desire and commitment through tough times and adversity here at LVC."
 
Number 16, Cole Godfrey: "Cole, although not on the ice during as many games as he would have wanted, has often been the heartbeat of the locker room", said head coach Don Parsons. "No matter if he was in the lineup or not, Cole would always carry a huge smile on his face and always be willing to do anything it took to be a part of the team and its success. There isn't a person in the locker room that I think would say a bad word about him. He worked hard at every practice and with very little complaints and supported the guys on the ice or on the bench. I will always and forever remember Cole as a determined hockey player, great friend and power play specialist.
 
Number 20, Jacob Horst: From Coach Parsons, "Jake is a coach's dream". "He comes to the rink before practice to do extra workouts even when not scheduled and stays after practice to ask what he can do better and go over video. He is one of the most polite and respectful kids I have met so far and always gives 100% no matter what. He has become one of most valuable defensemen on our team this year, never asking for anything but wanting anything we threw at him.  His honesty and true want for the team is a huge asset that I feel will carry him through whatever life. As long as Jake stays confident in himself, there is nothing he can't do!"
 
Number 28, Andy Thurby: From the words of Coach Parsons, "I got very lucky with Andy Thurby". "I did not recruit Andy as he came here for our academic programs first and hockey second.  Andy was a captain on our team for three years, garnering respect from his teammates even as a freshmen. He led our team in scoring his freshman year and never looked back from there. I used Andy in every situation during our games with him often playing 30 minutes or more per game. I often noticed how tired he was by the look on his face, but was the first one to be over the boards when I needed him. Andy is one of the smartest hockey players that I have coached on and off the ice. To say Andy will be missed here at LVC is an understatement. I only hope he can look back one day and be proud to have been a part of LVC and our growing hockey tradition".

From the words of Coach Parsons: "I will miss each and every one of you guys and you will never be forgotten. I wish you the best in all you do. Congratulations on being a huge part of LVC Ice Hockey rebirth. Once a Dutchmen, Always a Dutchmen!"

Playoff Picture
LVC has clinched the No. 2 seed in the ESCHL playoffs, and if the season ended today, the Dutchmen would face Delaware in the semifinal round.

What They're Saying
"Great night for our seniors", said head coach Don Parsons.

Who's Next?
The Dutchmen off the 2015-16 regular season tomorrow night at West Chester at 7:45 p.m. The ESCHL playoffs are set to begin next Friday at Hersheypark Arena.