HERSHEY, Pa. ­­– Dylan Miller netted two goals for the Lebanon Valley College men's ice hockey team, as the program dropped a close 4-3 battle against Wilkes University on Saturday, Jan. 27 at Hersheypark Arena. 

The defenses of both the Dutchmen and the Colonels dominated for much of the first period, as the game was scoreless for over 15 minutes at the start. Goaltender Jadon Lee helped limit the opposition early, making eight saves in the first 13:36. Lebanon Valley also generated offensive opportunities during this stretch, sending the puck toward the net seven times in the opening 14 minutes. Miller contributed to these efforts, attempting a pair of shots on goal.

Wilkes got on the scoreboard 15:46 into the first period, taking a 1-0 lead on a short-handed goal by Jimmy O'Kane. The Colonels took nine more shots on goal during the remaining minutes of the frame, but Lee made saves on each of these attempts. Mason Proskin also made an impact defensively for LVC in this stretch, blocking a shot by Wilkes with 2:07 left in the first. 

The Colonels added a point 2:06 into the second period, taking a 2-0 advantage on a goal by Daniel Nau. The Flying Dutchmen continued to create scoring chances as the frame progressed, taking seven shots on goal over the next 8:17. Proskin and Mac Diver each sent a shot toward the net within seven seconds during the ninth minute. 

Lebanon Valley got its offense rolling 12:22 into the second, trimming its deficit to 2-1 against Wilkes. Miller made it a one-point game by sending a shot past the goaltender, courtesy of an assist by John King. Lee then helped keep the Colonels in check during the remaining minutes of the frame, making four more saves. 

The programs went back and forth on the defensive end for more than half of the third period, maintaining the score for over 13 minutes at the start. Lee continued to make stops for the Dutchmen, saving all eight shots on goal he faced in the first 12:25 of the frame. The program also kept sending the puck toward the goaltender, tallying nine attempts during the opening 13:04 of the period.

Lebanon Valley registered three shots on goal within eight seconds in a stretch that began at the end of the 13^thminute. The final attempt during this span went into the net, as LVC tied Wilkes at 2-2 13:04 into the third period. The Flying Dutchmen evened the score on Miller's second goal of the night, following an assist by Garret Jackson.

The Colonels responded 1:59 later, taking a 3-2 lead on a goal by Billy Berry. Lebanon Valley continued to battle offensively during the remaining 4:57, as Blake Tosto sent a shot toward the net with 1:33 to go. Wilkes then extended its advantage with 48 seconds left in the contest, making it a 4-2 game on an empty net goal by O'Kane. The Dutchmen kept competing until the final minute, as Tosto netted a goal as time expired to narrow the score to 4-3. Cameron Croteau was credited with the assist on the final goal of the night. 

Inside the Box Score

• Miller scored his second and third goals of the season for Lebanon Valley. 
• Tosto netted his team-leading eighth goal of the campaign. 
• King dished out an assist on Miller's first goal.
• Jackson was credited with the assist on Miller's game-tying goal. 
• Croteau assisted Tosto's goal in the third period.
• The Dutchmen took 34 shots on goal. 
• Proskin, Croteau, and Miller tied for the team lead in shots on goal with five each.
• LVC blocked a total of 16 shots.
• Diver led the Flying Dutchmen with four blocked shots. 
• Haralds Jirgens blocked three shots for the program. 
• Lee made 40 saves during the contest. 
• Tosto registered the most faceoff victories in the game, posting 13 wins. 

Up Next 
Lebanon Valley will return to action at 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 2, as the program will host Manhattanville College at Hersheypark Arena. 

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