Lebanon Valley 6, No. 15 Utica 1
 
LVC Starters
Johnson (LW), Hepler (C), Hovanec (RW), Yingst (D), Straub (D), Perhac (G)
 
Utica Starters
Landrigan (LW), Lynch (C), Burmaster (RW), Fritz (D), Borsoi (D), Baggetta (G)
 
How It Happened
HERSHEY, Pa. – Tyler Perhac made 42 saves between the pipes and Bryan Hovanec recorded a hat trick to lead Lebanon Valley to a huge 6-1 victory over No. 15 Utica College on Sunday, Nov. 18 in United Collegiate Hockey Conference (UCHC) action. The Dutchmen jumped to 3-2-2, 2-1-2 UCHC, while the Pioneers fell to 3-4-0, 3-2-0 UCHC.
 
Just 2:10 into the first period, the Dutchmen lit the lamp on the power play when Cole Hepler blasted one from the point that found its way into the back of the net off assists from Tyler Romel and Felix Takacsi-Nagy. The game stayed scoreless in the first until Hovanec netted a goal with 1:11 remaining from Brett Johnson and Hepler, giving LVC a nice 2-0 lead after one period of action.
 
The Dutchmen also struck early in the second when Travis Acker took advantage of Utica's turnover and blasted one from just outside the right faceoff circle off an assist from Takacsi-Nagy, sending the Pioneers' Gianluca Baggetta to the showers early, as Utica made a change and Sean Dickson relieved Baggetta between the pipes. A little over two minutes later, the visitors got one back when Conor Landrigan notched a goal, but later at 17:35 with Utica on the man-advantage, Hovanec broke free and scored a short-handed goal from Johnson to bump the Dutchmen's lead back up to three at 4-1. That score stuck in the final 2:25 and LVC went into the third with a comfortable three-goal advantage.
 
It was all Dutchmen in the third and they once again scored early when Johnson found the back of the net from Hepler and Zach Yingst to put the game out of reach at 5-1. Five minutes later, at 6:57, Hovanec put the icing on the cake after his initial shot was saved, but the rebound came right to his stick and he buried one to reach the hat trick and give LVC the 6-1 lead.
 
Inside the Numbers
 - Perhac was incredible in net, making several highlight-reel saves en route to the 42-save victory.
 - Hovanec netted three goals on five shots and was a +3.
 - Johnson and Hepler finished with a goal and two assists each.
 - Takacsi-Nagy chipped in a pair of helpers.
 - Romel and Yingst picked up one assist each.
 - Along with Hovanec, Johnson, Yingst, and Mike Straub were all +3.
 - Hepler won a team-high 14 faceoffs.
 - Utica led in total faceoff wins at 50-29.
 - A total of 15 penalties were called in the game (11 for LVC, 4 for the Pioneers).
 
Who's Next?
LVC returns to action on Friday, Nov. 30 at home against Elmira College at 7 p.m.
 
Stay Connected
Be sure to follow @lvcathletics on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook for the most in-depth coverage of LVC athletics.