HERSHEY, Pa. ­­– Cameron Croteau recorded a game-high 14 faceoff wins for the Lebanon Valley College Men's Ice Hockey team, as the program dropped a 7-0 contest to Alvernia University on Senior Night Friday, Feb. 21, at Hersheypark Arena. 

Lebanon Valley recognized its seniors before its final home game of the campaign, honoring Harris Blackwood, Dylan Gutierrez, Brock Stitley, Cade Freer, and Brenden Yingling in a pregame ceremony. 

The Dutchmen battled defensively early in the first period, as John King blocked a shot attempt by the Golden Wolves, and goaltender Chris Branch made two saves within 36 seconds in the second minute. Lebanon Valley's offense also sent shots toward the net during the frame, as Troy Andrews tallied an attempt at the 2:57 mark, and Mac Diver had a try saved at the 3:41 mark. This was followed by Branch making a pair of saves for LVC within 47 seconds in the sixth minute. Offensively, the Flying Dutchmen countered with a shot on goal by Blake Dustin that was saved at the 6:59 mark before Gutierrez's try was saved 27 seconds later. 

Alvernia went on a power play that began in the eighth minute, and Branch made a save at the 9:03 mark during this successful penalty kill. The Golden Wolves opened the scoring 11:21 into the first period, taking a 1-0 lead on a goal by Frazer Dodd. The Golden Wolves then scored twice in the 16^th minute to go ahead 3-0, as Vincent Servizzi recorded a goal at the 15:32 mark before he netted another 18 seconds later. Lebanon Valley followed this by creating some chances, as Dylan Miller put a shot on goal that was saved at the 17:54 mark before Cade Helmer and Lukas Washco each had an attempt saved within 40 seconds in the last minute. Goaltender Jadon Lee also made three saves within the final 2:20 of the first.

Alvernia added another tally 38 seconds into the second period, making it a 4-0 game on a goal by Sawyer Senio. Lebanon Valley's defense followed this with a save by Lee at the 1:40 mark before Freer blocked a try at the 1:53 mark, and Diver had a block 2:28 into the frame. The Golden Wolves tacked on a point 2:56 into the second, going ahead 5-0 on a goal by Christian Heckman. The Dutchmen also kept sending the puck toward the net as the frame progressed, as Freer and Croteau each took shots that were saved six seconds in the eighth minute. Stitley contributed to these efforts as well, tallying an attempt on goal at the 9:43 mark. 

On the defensive end, Lee logged two more stops for the Lebanon Valley within 50 seconds in the 13^th minute. The Golden Wolves scored again 13:01 into the second, making it a 6-0 contest on a goal by Patrick Del Vecchio. The Flying Dutchmen proceeded to keep battling offensively as well, as Freer put a shot on goal that was saved at the 15:11 mark, while Tanner Tolliver and Washco each had a shot saved within 26 seconds in the 19^th minute. 

Goaltender Lochlan Lauer entered the game for the Dutchmen at the beginning of the third period and made three saves within the first 2:54. Alvernia then added a point 2:59 into the frame, advancing the score to 7-0 on a goal by Peter Lopes. Lebanon Valley continued to log shots as the period progressed, as Andrews and Dustin each took a shot that was saved within 13 seconds in the fifth minute. Reece McDonald also worked to generate an offensive opportunity, registering a shot on goal at the 7:46 mark. Lauer followed this by making three saves on shots by the Golden Wolves over the next 1:25. 

The Dutchmen continued to send the puck toward the net as the third period went on, recording 14 shots on goal during the remainder of the contest. These attempts included eight shots during power plays. When Lebanon Valley was on its second power play of the third, Dustin, Freer, and Yingling each took a shot on goal that was saved within 23 seconds in the eighth minute. Defensively, Lauer delivered two more saves during the rest of the game, including one during a penalty kill with nine seconds left. Ultimately, the score was maintained through the end of the contest. 

Inside the Box Score

• The Dutchmen had a 36-35 advantage in faceoff victories.
• Croteau tallied a game-high 14 faceoff wins, going 14-4.
• Yingling logged eight victories during faceoffs. 
• Lebanon Valley took 34 shots on goal. 
• Gutierrez and Yingling tied for the team lead in shots with four each
• Lebanon Valley was successful on both of its penalty kills. 
• Lauer made a season-high 12 saves during the contest. 
• Lee also recorded 12 stops and Branch registered eight saves. 
• Freer, Diver, King, and Jordan Stear each blocked a shot on the defensive end. 

Up Next
The Dutchmen will close out the season at 5 p.m. tomorrow, Saturday, Feb. 22, when the program will travel to take on Neumann University at Ice Works Rink #3 in Aston, Pennsylvania.

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