HERSHEY, Pa. ­­– Ethan Hoover's three-point game led eight players who recorded points for the Lebanon Valley College Men's Ice Hockey team, propelling the program to an important 5-2 victory over King's College on Friday, Jan. 10, at Hersheypark Arena. Hoover, Reece McDonald, Harris Blackwood, and Dylan Miller each found the net for LVC during the series-opening win. 

The Monarchs (3-9-0, 2-7-0 MAC) opened the scoring 2:11 into the first period, taking an early 1-0 lead on a power-play goal by Jakub Viedemann. The Dutchmen (5-7-1, 4-4-1 MAC) then answered back at the 3:06 mark, tying the game at 1-1. The program evened the score on a goal by McDonald, courtesy of an assist by Max Kontir. King's followed this with some offensive opportunities, but Lebanon Valley's defense responded with a blocked shot by Aidan Bright at the 4:03 mark and a save by goaltender Chris Branch 7:52 into the frame. The Flying Dutchmen also continued to send the puck toward the net as the opening period progressed, as Brenden Yingling tallied a shot on goal that was saved 9:01 into the first before Jordan Stear's try was saved 46 seconds later. 

Lebanon Valley scored again 11:41 into the contest, claiming a 2-1 advantage against King's. The squad went ahead on a short-handed goal by Hoover, following an assist by Cameron Croteau. Branch also kept battling defensively as the frame went on, coming through with saves at the 13:33, 13:40, and 14:51 marks. The Monarchs then countered with a goal by Michael Harrel Jr. 16:11 into the first period, tying things up at 2-2. The programs proceeded to go back and forth defensively through the remainder of the frame. During this stretch, Branch kept the opposition scoreless with two more stops, including one during a power play. 

Branch continued to face shots on goal from King's when the second period got underway, but the junior responded with four saves during the first 2:28 of the frame. The goalie made one of these saves during a power play for the Monarchs and later delivered three key saves within 15 seconds during the sixth minute. The Flying Dutchmen kept working to create scoring chances as well, as Ian Lindberg and Darion Benchich each tallied a shot on goal within 28 seconds in the seventh minute. Miller also contributed to these efforts, registering an attempt that was saved at the 7:23 mark. Lebanon Valley found the net again 8:15 into the second, going ahead 3-2. The team went back in front on a goal by Blackwood after assists by Hoover and Blake Dustin. 

Back on the defensive end, Branch came through with more saves at the 8:42 and 9:26 marks. LVC also remained aggressive offensively, as Dustin, Miller, and Benchich each took shots on goal within 31 seconds in the 11^th minute. The Dutchmen put another point on the scoreboard 14:13 into the second, taking a 4-2 lead on a power-play goal by Miller. Cade Helmer and Blackwood dished out assists on the program's fourth goal of the night. Lebanon Valley followed this with a strong defensive effort through the rest of period two, as Dylan Gutierrez blocked a shot at the 14:52 mark before Branch made stops at the 17:26 and 18:11 marks.

The Dutchmen also kept working to generate scoring opportunities during the third period, as Croteau, Yingling, and Gutierrez each put a shot on goal within the first five minutes of the frame. Gutierrez's try during this stretch came during an LVC power play. Later in the period, Croteau, Helmer, and Gutierrez each tallied attempts within 25 seconds in the 11^th minute while on a power play. Defensively, Branch continued to deliver a strong performance with a save at the 11:33 mark before making three more stops in the 14^th minute when King's was on a power play. 

The Monarchs also put a shot on goal during the power play 14:22 into the third period, which resulted in Branch's 33^rd and final save of the game. King's had another attempt at the 17:03 mark, but Blackwood blocked the shot for LVC. The Dutchmen then tacked on an insurance point 18:46 into the third, making it a 5-2 contest on an unassisted, empty net goal by Hoover. Lebanon Valley proceeded to keep the opposition off the board through the remainder of play, securing the 5-2 victory. 

Inside the Box Score

• The Dutchmen had a season-high five goals and tied a season-high 11 points. The program also tallied 11 points during its 4-0 win at Alvernia University on Nov. 30, 2024. 
• Hoover recorded three points with two goals and an assist on Blackwood's goal. The sophomore also led the Dutchmen with five shots on goal. Hoover leads the team with 11 points and six goals.
• McDonald scored his first goal of the season. 
• Blackwood found the net for the fourth time this winter, marking his first game-winner of the campaign. The senior also tallied an assist on Miller's goal. Additionally, Blackwood led the team with two blocks on the defensive end. 
• Kontir dished out the assist on McDonald's goal. 
• Dustin also had an assist on Blackwood's goal.
• Helmer registered his team-leading seventh assist on Miller's goal. The junior also led LVC with 11 faceoff wins. 
• Croteau assisted Hoover's first goal. 
• Lebanon Valley outshot King's 46-35. 
• Branch made 33 saves during the victory. 
• Defensively, LVC blocked nine shots. 
• The Flying Dutchmen had 35 faceoff wins.

Up Next
The Dutchmen will be back in action at 7 p.m. tomorrow, Saturday, Jan. 11, when the program will travel to take on the Monarchs again at the Revolution Ice Centre in Pittston, Pennsylvania. 

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