No. 13 Utica 7, Lebanon Valley 2

LVC Starters
Reno (D), LaBonte (RW), Thomas (LW), Straub (D), Thompson (C), Eisenhower (G)

Utica Starters
Schmidt (D), Valteni (C), Carter (D), Fitzpatrick (RW), Roberts (LW), Virtanen (G)

How It Happened
HERSHEY, Pa. – Lebanon Valley's men's ice hockey team dug itself into a 3-0 hole in the first period that they were unable to come out of, resulting in a 7-2 loss at the hands of No. 13 Utica on Saturday afternoon in ECAC-West action. The Dutchmen fell to 4-18-2, 1-12-1 ECACW, while the Pioneers jumped to 17-7-0, 12-1-0 ECACW.

Before the game, Joey LaBonte, Jake Thomas, and Brennan Thompson were honored on Senior Day.

Utica, who has now won seven consecutive games, scored 2:23 into the first period and later increased its lead to 2-0 with nine minutes left in the first. Vince Stefan scored his second of the period with just a minute and a half remaining, as LVC went into the first intermission down by three.

In the second period, the Pioneers added four more goals, including two on the power-play, to increase their advantage to 7-0 before the Dutchmen got one back at 8:15 of the second when Cole Hepler scored on the power play from Brett Johnson. Utica, however, added a tally late in the period and went into the third with a comfortable 7-1 lead. In the third, Hepler added his second goal of the game and team-leading 16th goal of the season, but it was not enough and Utica went on to win 7-2.

Inside the Numbers
 - Hepler finished with a game-high four shots on goal, while Bryan Hovanec, Jared Karas, and Cole Godfrey had three shots on goal apiece.
 - Joel Eisenhower saved 25 shots for the Dutchmen and Tyler Perhac played 17 minutes, making 10 saves.
 - Utica won the battle in faceoffs at 45-25.

The Seniors
As was stated earlier, LVC celebrated Senior Day this afternoon. Here's what head coach Don Parsons had to say about Joey LaBonte…

"Outside of your parents, I can honestly say that no one is more proud of your accomplishments than me. During your application process four years ago, LVC wanted to see proof that you were worthy of acceptance. You were happy to oblige and took three summer courses, getting A's in all of them. You made a promise to me, that academics would be as important to you as hockey and that you would not let me or yourself down. Fast forward to today, you carry a 3.2 cumulative GPA and will graduate this spring. You have fulfilled every role on this team, leading scorer, power-play specialist, great penalty killer and fourth-line energy guy. You wear your heart on your sleeve and would do anything for your teammates. You have matured immensely since stepping onto LVC's campus and you have always put your teammates first and I can tell you that they're all proud of you!"
 
And here's what Parsons said of Thomas…
 
"Always the coach's favorite and I have never held any reservations saying it! Nobody leads by example like you. I have always said, if I could have 20 number 17's I would take them any day. You have done whatever has been asked of you to the best of your ability and you've garnered a tremendous amount of respect from your teammates since you stepped foot in the locker room, making you an assistant captain for the last three years. I can't end this without thanking your cheering section that has also been a huge part of our LVC hockey family. Judy, Dave, Pop, Deb, and of course, Cathy".
 
Finally, this is what Parsons had to say about Thompson…
 
"It seems like a lifetime ago that I coached you as a Hershey Jr. Bear's 16 AAA team six or seven years ago. Even back then you would do whatever you could to help the team. Never gifted with the fastest of feet, you always found ways to make a very positive impact for your team. I remember four years ago when you called me and said, "Coach, I got into LVC and I'm coming to play hockey." I had my reservations telling you that you would have to earn every bit of ice time. Well, you earned it and became one of the best defensive centers we've ever had at LVC. Your work ethic and perseverance has been unequalled and because of that, you made an incredible impact on this team, earning the role as an assistant captain. You are a great role model to your brother and sister and have made your family proud. You have been an incredible asset to the LVC community and will be missed here at Lebanon Valley!"
 
Parsons also added, "To all of you, I can't thank you enough for the impact you've made on this program. I only hope that you will return often to support what you have started. And remember, once a Dutchmen, always a Dutchmen. Best of luck to you all!"
 
Who's Next?
LVC's 2016-17 season concludes this Friday when the Dutchmen travel to battle Stevenson at 7 p.m.