UTICA, N.Y. ­­– Harris Blackwood scored his fifth goal of the season, as the Lebanon Valley College men's ice hockey team dropped a 5-2 contest to No. 6 Utica University at the Adirondack Bank Center at the Utica Memorial Auditorium.

The Dutchmen and the Pioneers battled defensively through the majority of the first period, keeping the game scoreless for over 16 minutes at the start. Goaltender Chris Branch limited the opposition early in the contest, making 12 saves during this scoreless stretch. Lebanon Valley also generated offensive opportunities throughout the frame, sending nine shots toward the net. Jered Stevenson and Tanner Tolliver each had a pair of attempts in the first 20 minutes. 

Utica opened the scoring 16:30 into the game, taking a 1-0 lead on a goal by Alexander Gullichsen. The Flying Dutchmen kept the Pioneers scoreless during the rest of the opening period, as Branch made five more saves in the final 3:30.

Lebanon Valley continued to battle offensively at the start of the second period, as Cade Freer and Stevenson each took a shot within the first couple of minutes. Utica added a point 4:01 into frame two, taking a 2-0 advantage on a goal by Matt Wood. Branch continued to deliver a strong effort as the period went on, making 13 saves in the remaining minutes of the second. 

The Dutchmen got on the board with 3:33 to go in the second period, trimming the Pioneers' lead to 2-1. Blackwood made it a one-point game by sending a shot into the net for an unassisted goal. LVC also created more scoring chances during the final minutes of the frame, as Darion Benchich took a shot on goal during this stretch.

Utica then found the net 4:36 into the third period, advancing its lead to 3-1 on a goal by Eric Vitale. Lebanon Valley responded 2:24 later, narrowing the score to 3-2 on Cade Helmer's first career goal. Artem Mikhaylov was credited with the assist on the sophomore's milestone goal. The Dutchmen stayed aggressive offensively through the remainder of the contest, sending eight more shots toward the goaltender. 

The Pioneers scored again with 6:15 left in the third, extending its advantage to 4-2 on a power-play goal by Khristian Acosta. Utica capped off the scoring with 1:32 to play, as Wood recorded a power-play goal to make it a 5-2 game. Ultimately, this would stand as the final score. 

Inside the Box Score

• Blackwood netted his fifth goal of the season for the Dutchmen. 
• Helmer scored his first career collegiate goal during the third period. The sophomore has recorded a point in each of his first three games with Lebanon Valley. 
• Artem Mikhaylov was credited with his team-leading eighth assist of the campaign on Helmer's goal. 
• Branch made a career-high 55 saves.
• LVC took 28 shots on goal. 
• Stevenson led the squad with five shots on goal.
• Blake Tosto led the Flying Dutchmen in faceoff victories, going 14-for-21. 

Up Next 
The Dutchmen will return to action at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 21, as the program will take on the Pioneers again at the Utica University Nexus Center. 

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