HERSHEY, Pa. ­­– Ethan Hoover found the net twice for the Lebanon Valley College Men's Ice Hockey team, leading the program to a big 3-2 victory in overtime on Saturday, Nov. 2 at Hersheypark Arena. The sophomore came through in the clutch with LVC's game-tying goal in the third period and the game-winner in overtime.

The Dutchmen (1-1-0) took the first shot of the afternoon, as Max Kontir registered an attempt that was saved 1:12 into the contest. The Mustangs (0-2-0) countered with two shots on goal within four seconds in the third minute, which resulted in a pair of saves by goaltender Jadon Lee. Lebanon Valley also worked to generate offensive opportunities as the first period progressed, as Tanner Tolliver took a shot that was saved at the 2:48 mark before Cade Helmer's try was saved at the 3:56 mark.

The Flying Dutchmen also remained productive defensively as the frame went on, as Lee made more stops 5:36 into the first and at the 6:44 mark. Later in the opening period, Lebanon Valley's offense created some chances with three shots on goal in a stretch of 1:58 that began in the 13^th minute. This included attempts by Brenden Yingling, Cade Freer, and Darion Benchich. Defensively, Lee made three more saves in the remaining minutes of the period. LVC also took a pair of shots on goal in the last minute of the first, as Yingling and Helmer both tallied attempts that were saved.

The Dutchmen didn't waste any time getting on the scoreboard in the second period, as the team scored 17 seconds into the frame to take a 1-0 lead. The program went ahead on a goal by Haralds Jirgens, following assists by Helmer and Jordan Stear. Lebanon Valley remained aggressive offensively throughout the second, taking 18 shots in the period. Hoover accounted for five of these attempts, including two within six seconds in the 10^th minute. LVC also had a stretch in the 12^th minute where it took three shots in 10 seconds, with the attempts coming from Helmer, Yingling, and Hoover.

Defensively, Lee remained dominant for the Flying Dutchmen. The goaltender made 12 saves during period two, including big stops at the 13:04, 13:16, and 13:20 marks. SUNY Morrisville later evened the score with 59 seconds left in the second frame, tying the game at 1-1 on a goal by Ethan Henry. Lebanon Valley kept sending shots toward the net before the period concluded, as Dylan Gutierrez took a shot that was saved at the 19:35 mark before Hoover's try was saved with four seconds to go.

The Mustangs found the net again 4:46 into the third period, taking a 2-1 advantage on a goal by Wyatt Allan. The Dutchmen continued to put shots on goal as the contest went on, as Gutierrez took a shot that was saved at the 7:58 mark. Lebanon Valley's offense then answered back with a goal at the 9:57 mark, tying the game at 2-2 against SUNY Morrisville. Hoover evened the score with a clutch power-play goal, courtesy of assists by Yingling and Helmer.

On the defensive end, Lee kept limiting the opposition with saves on each of the three shots on goal he faced in the remainder of the third. The goaltender logged these important stops at the 13:55, 15:13, and 17:32 marks. The Dutchmen also attempted to break the tie near the end of the regulation, as Hoover took a shot that was saved with 44 seconds left before Stear's try that was saved with five seconds on the clock.

Hoover remained at the center of Lebanon Valley's offense when overtime began, as he took the first shot 32 seconds into the frame. The Dutchmen then found the net 55 seconds into overtime, providing the program with a 3-2 victory for its first win of the season. Hoover was the player who sent Dutchmen fans home happy, as he delivered a shot into the net after assists by Stear and Harris Blackwood.

Inside the Box Score

• Hoover scored his second and third goals of the early season, including the game-winner in overtime. The sophomore also registered game-highs with 12 shots and 11 faceoff victories.
• Jirgens netted his first goal of the campaign and led LVC with five blocked shots.
• Stear was credited with assists on the goal by Jirgens and on Hoover's game-winning goal in overtime.
• Helmer dished out assists on the goal by Jirgens and on Hoover's game-tying goal in the third.
• Blackwood tallied an assist on Hoover's game-winner in overtime as well, marking the senior's first point of the year. 
• Yingling also assisted Hoover's first goal for his first point of the season.
• Lebanon Valley outshot SUNY Morrisville 48-26.
• Lee made 24 saves during the win.
• The Dutchmen blocked 14 shots.
• Mac Diver tallied three blocks, and Cameron Croteau also blocked a pair of shots.

Up Next
Lebanon Valley will be back in action at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 8, as the program will host Neumann University for its Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) opener at Hersheypark Arena.

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