Lebanon Valley 3, No. 13 Utica 2

LVC Starters
Takacsi-Nagy (LW), Hepler (C), Wendling (RW), Yingst (D), Straub (D), Eisenhower (G)

Utica Starters
Bushinski (LW), Ammirato (C), Derlago (RW), Szajiner (D), Carter (D), Dill (G)

How It Happened
HERSHEY, Pa. – Lebanon Valley's men's ice hockey team picked up one of its biggest wins in recent memory, as Cole Hepler scored a power-play goal with 30 seconds left in regulation and the Dutchmen upset No. 13 Utica College 3-2 on Friday night inside Hersheypark Arena. LVC picked up its first win of the season and now sits at 1-3-1, 1-1-1 UCHC, while the Pioneers dropped to 3-2, 1-2 UCHC.

With two minutes and 51 seconds left in the third period, Utica's Mikhail Bushinski was whistled for tripping, and LVC went to the man advantage. After a couple of short-handed shots for the Pioneers were saved by Joel Eisenhower, the Dutchmen skated down the ice and the puck eventually came to Brett Johnson, who was skating down the left side. Johnson delivered a pretty pass to Hepler, and the assistant captain deked the Pioneers' Henry Dill and scored, giving the Dutchmen a one-goal advantage with 30 ticks left. Utica pulled their goalie for the final 30 seconds, but were unable to tie it, giving LVC one of their biggest wins in a long time. To view video of Hepler's game-winning score, check out the video below.



Utica opened up the scoring tonight and netted a goal at 14:33 of the first period after Zach Borsoi found the back of the net. LVC saw some chances, but were unable to push one past Dill in the first and the Pioneers went into the first intermission up 1-0. The Dutchmen tied things up at 14:19 of the second period when Johnson scored from Jared Karas and Bryan Hovanec. The 1-1 tie stood heading into third period action.

5:17 into the third, with Utica on the power play, Roman Ammirato netted a goal from Justin Derlago and Bushinski to put the Pioneers ahead 2-1 for the time being. Just over two minutes later, Nick Skerlick tied things up with his first goal of the season from Russ Armbruster and Mike Straub.

Inside the Numbers
 - This is LVC's first win over a ranked opponent since joining the NCAA last season.
 - Johnson finished with a goal and an assist for LVC on three shots on net.
 - Hepler finished with six shots on net and a +1 rating to go along with 16 faceoff wins on the night.
 - Johnson, Hepler, and Kevin Van Bokkelen are tied for the team lead in goals with two.
 - Eienshower made 35 saves for the Dutchmen, including 16 in the third period, to earn his first victory of the season.
 - Utica led in total faceoff wins at 41-29.

Who's Next?
LVC looks to ride the momentum into tomorrow when the Dutchmen host Nazareth in another UCHC matchup at Hersheypark Arena. Puck drop is set for 5 p.m.

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