UTICA, N.Y. – Lebanon Valley sophomore Brenden Yingling recorded his 15th career point with a second period power play goal as the men's ice hockey team battled sixth-ranked Utica University to a 7-1 defeat on Sunday in the final conference game between the programs at the Nexus Center in Utica.
 
The Pioneers jumped out to an early lead with a rebound goal 17 seconds into the contest. The hosts dominated possession in the early part of the game as Chris Branch was forced to make three saves over the next five minutes of play. The Dutchmen had their first opportunity late in the span as Yingling rocketed a shot off the pads of Ethan Roberts in goal. Utica added to the lead at 5:36 with their second goal of the game off a turnover inside the blue line. The Pios seemed poised to add to their lead as LVC got called for the first penalty of the game at 11:11.
 
The Dutchmen penalty kill dug in and held Utica without a shot during the two-minute advantage giving LVC a boost of momentum. LVC went on their first power play of the game at 14:22 and Ethan Hoover put a shot on goal before a tripping penalty put the teams at even strength for a minute. Utica took a 3-0 lead as they managed to score a power play goal with 29 seconds left on the opportunity. LVC ended the period strong as Justin Davis, Jered Stevenson, and Darion Benchich put four shots on goal while Utica took none.
 
Utica scored early in the second period on a bullet from the blue line to take a 4-0 lead. The Dutchmen earned their second power play opportunity three minutes into the period following a tripping call. Cade Helmer saved a short-handed goal by chasing down a breakaway attempt and forcing a tougher shot at goal which Branch was able to easily knok away. The Dutchmen then came right down the other end of the ice and Yingling lit the lamp for the second consecutive weekend to cut the lead to 4-1 four minutes into the period. Harris Blackwood and Benchich had the assists on the play.
 
LVC fought up-and-down the ice with the Pioneers and killed off a penalty allowing just two shots. Utica was able to score twice more in the period, first at 12:18 and then at 18:44. Despite the three goals in the period, the Dutchmen fought toe-to-toe with the conference leaders putting 12 shots on goal during the 20 minutes. Davis and Blake Tosto had two each during the period to lead the Dutchmen. The third period was a strong defensive period for LVC and Gabriel Pigeon in goal as the team allowed just one goal at 14:27 while facing 19 shots. Utica had an early power play opportunity in the period, but LVC held strong allowing just one shot during the penalty kill. Offensively, Tosto had two shots on goal during the frame while Blackwood, Hoover, Helmer, and Cade Freer had a shot each.
 
Inside the Box

• Yingling scored his third goal of the year on three shots. He scored a power play goal for the second consecutive weekend.
• Blackwood recorded his 10th point of the year on his fifth assist. He has now recorded a point in each of the last three games. The junior also won nine of 16 faceoffs.
• Benchich dished out his seventh assist of the season and 27th of his career.
• Tosto took a team-high four shots.
• Branch made 17 saves in goal before Pigeon entered the game in the second period. Pigeon stopped 26 shots in just under 36 minutes of action.
• This was the last meeting between the programs as conference opponents with LVC leaving the UCHC next year as the MAC will have an automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament for the first time.

Up Next.
LVC's tough stretch to begin the second half continues next weekend as they welcome Wilkes University to Hersheypark Arena for a pair of games. Both Friday and Saturday night will start at 7 p.m. with Wilkes currently sitting third in the conference standings behind Utica and Stevenson.

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