REISTERSTOWN, Md. ­­– Darion Benchich found the net for the Lebanon Valley College Men's Ice Hockey team, as the program dropped a 7-1 contest to Stevenson University on Saturday, Feb. 15, at the Reisterstown SportsPlex.

The Dutchmen battled defensively early in the first period, as goaltender Chris Branch made two saves while Jordan Stear and Blake Dustin each blocked a shot within the first 1:56. Lebanon Valley also worked to generate scoring chances, as Tanner Tolliver and Lukas Washco each put a shot on goal within 27 seconds in the fourth minute. The Mustangs followed this by tallying more shots, but Branch responded with eight more saves for LVC over the next 7:02. Benchich also contributed to these efforts on the defensive end, blocking a shot attempt at the 11:01 mark. 

The Flying Dutchmen continued to send the puck toward the net as the first period went on, as Ethan Hoover, Max Kontir, and Cade Helmer each tallied a shot on goal over the next 3:45. The Mustangs then opened the scoring 14:50 into the first, taking a 1-0 lead on a goal by Graeme McCrory. Lebanon Valley later countered with a shot by Hoover at the 15:11 mark. Back on the defensive end, Branch proceeded to make seven more saves, and Tolliver had a block during the remaining minutes of the period. Branch came through with two of these stops within the final 13 seconds of the first. 

Lebanon Valley's offense created some chances early in the second period, as Troy Andrews took two shots while Helmer also had a try saved within 10 seconds in the second minute. Stevenson found the net again 1:47 into the frame, taking a 2-0 advantage on another goal by McCrory. The teams proceeded to go back and forth over the next six minutes, a stretch in which Branch made four more saves for LVC, including two during a penalty kill and one when the opposition was short-handed. The Dutchmen then got on the scoreboard 8:33 into the second, narrowing the score to 2-1 on a power-play goal by Benchich. Stear and Helmer were credited with the assists on the goal. 

Lebanon Valley also kept taking shots as the second period rolled on, as Helmer recorded a try at the 9:07 mark before Blake Dustin had an attempt saved 46 seconds later. The Mustangs later extended their lead to 5-1, as Blake Benson scored a goal at the 12:39 mark, Matt Yeager found the net at the 13:16 mark, and McCrory tallied a goal at the 13:53 mark. Stevenson scored again 16:26 into the second, making it a 6-1 contest on another goal by Benson. The Flying Dutchmen kept generating offensive opportunities during the period, as Ian Lindberg, Andrews, and Kontir each put a shot on goal during the remaining minutes. Defensively, Branch also made two stops during the rest of the second. 

The Dutchmen kept battling when the third period began, as Branch registered three saves within the first 4:55. Reece McDonald also made an impact defensively, blocking a shot 5:02 into the frame. Lebanon Valley followed this with a scoring chance, as Cade Freer put a shot on goal that was saved 6:32 into the period. The Mustangs then added another tally 8:02 into the third, advancing the score to 7-1 on a goal by Benson. 

Stevenson proceeded to take three shots on goal over the next 5:54, and Branch made saves on each attempt. The Flying Dutchmen also kept working to generate opportunities on the offensive end, as Jack Foote and Freer each took a shot on goal within six seconds in the 16^th minute. Back on defense, Lindberg blocked two shots, and Branch had a stop within 11 seconds in the 18^th minute. Branch also made three more during the remainder of the third, including a pair within 14 seconds in the 19^th minute. Lebanon Valley's offense competed until the final minute as well, as Freer took a shot that was saved with a minute to go. The programs went on to maintain the score through the end of play. 

Inside the Box Score

• Benchich scored his fifth goal of the season. 
• Stear recorded the primary assist on Benchich's goal.
• Helmer also dished out his team-leading 13 assist of the campaign on the goal by Benchich. 
• Lebanon Valley took 24 shots on goal.
• Andrews led the program with four shots. 
• Branch made a season-high 49 saves during the contest, prompting the junior to surpass the 1,000 career saves mark. Branch has made 1,026 saves during his three seasons with the Dutchmen.
• Defensively, the program had an 11-5 advantage in blocked shots 
• Stear and Benchich tied a game-high three blocks. 
• Lindberg also blocked two shots for LVC.
• The Flying Dutchmen recorded 30 faceoff victories. 
• Helmer led the team with 10 faceoff wins. 

Up Next
The Dutchmen will be back in action at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 18, when the team will host King's College at Hersheypark Arena. 

Stay Connected
Be sure to follow @lvcathletics on Instagram, X, and Facebook for the most in-depth coverage of LVC Athletics.