Lebanon Valley 4, Stevenson 2
 
LVC Starters
Alunni, Hepler, Pugh, Straub, Yingst, Forslund
 
Stevenson Starters
Gray, Patrick, Swingle, McNamera, Murray, McVeigh
 
How It Happened
HERSHEY, Pa. – In a win-or-go-home game, Lebanon Valley outlasted Stevenson and doubled up the Mustangs 4-2 on Saturday night in UCHC men's ice hockey action. Both teams needed a win in order to make it to post-season play, and with this win, the Dutchmen clinched post-season play in the UCHC conference tournament. LVC jumped 9-14-2, 7-9-2 UCHC, while Stevenson dropped to 10-15-0, 7-11-0 UCHC.
 
At the start of the final period, the Dutchmen were up 3-1. Stevenson's Austin Swingle found the back of the net 16:53 into the period, however, to bring the visitors to within one at 3-2. With 1:54 left to play, the Dutchmen received a penalty for hooking, giving a power-play opportunity to the Mustangs. Stevenson looked to put a lot of offensive pressure on the Dutchmen and pulled its goalie with 1:20 to play. The Dutchmen were down six skaters to four. LVC held its ground and with a blocked shot from TJ Sneath, the Dutchmen gained possession of the puck after an incredible defensive play from Cole Hepler, and he then finished Stevenson off with a short-handed, empty netter with 0:03 remaining in the game. Lebanon Valley, who needed a regulation win to overtake Neumann for the sixth and final UCHC Playoffs spot, earned the 4-2 win to propel themselves into the No. 6 seed for next week's postseason tournament.
 
Lebanon Valley was the first to score as Kevin Van Bokkelen netted a goal from Adam Canepa and Hepler found the back of the net 12:37 into the first period. Stevenson tied the game as Liam Walsh slipped one past Matt Forslund 5:43 into the second, but nearly a minute and a half later, Sneath netted a short-handed goal in with the assist from Brad Nolan and Mike Straub, which gave the Dutchmen the 2-1 lead. Bryan Hovanec then found the back of the net, with the assist from Skyler Pugh and TJ Sneath, before the end of the period on a power-play 15:00 into the second.
 
Inside the Numbers
- Cole Helpler, Bryan Hovanec, Kevin Van Bokkelen, and TJ Sneath each scored one goal each.
- Mike Straub, Skyler Pugh, Adam Canepa, Brad Nolan, Sneath, and Hepler each had an assist.
- Hepler, Straub, Nolan, Canepa, Van Bokkelen, Alex Boroweic, and Tyler Romel each had a point each.
- Justin Hall and Sneath had the most shots with four.
- Matt Forslund was impressive all evening and had a total of 38 saves.
- Stevenson's Austin Swingle and Liam Walsh each scored a goal.
- LVC had 25 shots compared to Stevenson's 40.
- Hepler won 20 of 35 faceoffs, and Sneath won six of ten.
- There were 15 penalties in the game, nine coming from LVC.

LVC Honors Betty Smith
Before the start of tonight's game, longtime off-ice official Elizabeth "Betty" Smith was honored with a plaque and game-used puck with the Dutchmen on it. With no more home games left for LVC men's and women's hockey this season, Betty is retiring after 20 years of service. She's been with LVC hockey since its inception in the late 90's, and is a 1976 graduate of Lebanon Valley College. Betty is the widow of Walk Smith, a former director emeritus of special services at LVC. We'd like to thank Betty for her years of support, and wish her nothing but the best in the future. 


 
Who's Next?
LVC will head into the UCHC Quarterfinal round as the No. 6 seed. On Tuesday, Feb. 19th, the Dutchmen will head to Rye, N.Y. to battle No. 3 Manhattanville at a time that is yet to be determined.
 
Stay Connected
Be sure to follow @lvcathletics on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook for the most in-depth coverage of LVC athletics.