REISTERSTOWN, Md. ­­– Jordan Stear and Dan Cardozo scored key goals for the Lebanon Valley College men's ice hockey team in the third period, as the program battled to a 2-2 tie in overtime with Stevenson University on Saturday, Jan. 24 at the Reisterstown Sportsplex. LVC picked up a point in the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) standings by forcing a shootout, which Stevenson won 2-0. 

The Dutchmen (5-11-2, 5-7-2 MAC) created an early scoring chance, as Ian Lindberg put a shot on goal that was saved 1:28 into the first period. The Mustangs (11-5-1, 10-2-1 MAC) countered with some shot attempts, and Lebanon Valley's defense responded with four saves by goaltender Chris Branch, as well as blocks by Peyton Myers and Aidan Bright over the next 1:25. Branch also delivered a save for LVC at the 4:20 mark when the programs were 4-on-4, before making more stops at the 6:50, 7:26, 8:50, and 9:42 marks. 

Stevenson opened the scoring 9:54 into the first period, taking a 1-0 lead on a goal by Brandon Hemmer. The Flying Dutchmen also kept working to generate offensive opportunities as the frame progressed, as Bright sent a shot toward the net that was saved at the 12:26 mark. This was followed by a pair of shots by the Mustangs, and Branch responded with two saves within six seconds in the 15th minute. Cade Helmer also contributed to Lebanon Valley's offensive efforts, putting a shot on target that was saved at the 17:06 mark. Branch then saved Stevenson's last shot on goal of the first period at the 17:33 mark, while Stear blocked an attempt as time expired. 

Lebanon Valley kept sending the puck toward the net when the second period got underway, putting six shots on goal that were saved during the first 7:30 of the frame. Cameron Croteau registered two attempts during this stretch. Defensively, Branch also tallied three saves in this span. The Dutchmen began a power play in the eighth minute, leading to Helmer, Lukas Washco, and Croteau each putting a shot on goal within 33 seconds in the ninth minute. Back on the defensive end, Branch posted a save at the 9:18 mark when each squad had four skaters on the ice. The goaltender followed this by making four more stops over the next 3:36. 

The teams proceeded to go back and forth during the next 4:05, as each squad had two shots saved. Branch stopped the two tries by Stevenson within 20 seconds in the 17th minute, while the opposition was on a power play. The Mustangs found the net again 17:28 into the second period, taking a 2-0 advantage on a power-play goal by John Musella. Branch later logged a save for LVC on Stevenson's last shot of the frame, as time ran out. 

The Dutchmen and the Mustangs battled defensively at the start of the third period, as both sides logged four shots on target that were saved during the first 8:32. Branch then came through with important saves for LVC at the 8:57, 8:58, and 9:06 marks. Lebanon Valley later began a power play in the 11th minute, and Dylan Miller created an offensive opportunity with a shot on goal that was saved at the 11:52 mark. 

After Branch recorded more stops at the 14:49, 14:53, and 15:56 marks, the Flying Dutchmen put five shots on target that were saved during the next 2:27. Helmer and Croteau accounted for two of these attempts, while LVC was on a power play. Lebanon Valley then got on the board with just 1:31 remaining in regulation, narrowing the score to 2-1. The program remained on a power play and pulled its goalie to have a 6-on-4 advantage in skaters. Stear made it a one-point game by netting a power-play goal, courtesy of assists by Croteau and Helmer. The Dutchmen found the net again with just 18.1 seconds to go, tying the game at 2-2 and forcing overtime. The squad evened the score when Cardozo sent the puck into the back of the net for a clutch goal, following assists by Proskin and Stear. 

Lebanon Valley registered the first shot of overtime seven seconds into the frame, as Croteau's try was saved. Stevenson countered with two shots within 35 seconds in the first minute, and Branch answered with a pair of saves for LVC. Helmer and Max Kontir then each took a shot for the Flying Dutchmen within nine seconds in the second minute, which were saved. The Mustangs followed this by sending the puck toward the net at the 2:04 mark, but Branch was there for the save. Lebanon Valley proceeded to put four more shots on target that were saved during the rest of the five-minute overtime, including two attempts by Helmer. Ultimately, the game finished in a 2-2 tie at the conclusion of overtime, forcing a shootout. 

Cardozo took the first shot for the Dutchmen in the shootout, which went off the post. Caden Smith then made Stevenson's first shot, while Washco also sent a shot off the post. Blake Benson followed this by making the Mustangs' second shot, prompting the team to win the shootout 2-0. 

Inside the Box Score

• Stear's two points marked a game-high and tied a career-high, as he logged his first goal of the season and his fifth assist of the year on Cardozo's goal. He has tallied at least one point in each of his last three games. Additionally, Stear blocked one shot on the defensive end.
• Cardozo recorded his first career point with his first career goal. 
• Proskin dished out his seventh assist of the year on Cardozo's game-tying goal. He has registered at least one point in his past three games as well. 
• Croteau assisted Stear's goal, marking his third consecutive game with at least one point. He now has four assists this winter. Croteau also won three faceoffs.
• Helmer tallied his team-leading 12th assist of the season on the goal by Stear, which marked his third straight game with at least one point. The senior also had a game-high and career-high eight shots on goal. 
• Branch made a game-high 36 saves. The senior surpassed 1,500 career saves, bringing his total to 1,503.
• The Dutchmen put 35 shots on goal. 
• Lebanon Valley blocked eight shots on the defensive end. 
• Tanner Tolliver tied a game-high two blocks while winning three faceoffs. 
• LVC recorded 26 faceoff victories.
• John King led the team with seven faceoff wins. 

Up Next
Lebanon Valley will be back in action on Friday, Jan. 30, at 4 p.m., when the program will travel to take on Wilkes University at the Toyota SportsPlex in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

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