WILKES-BARRE, Pa. ­­– The Lebanon Valley College men's ice hockey team scored three goals in the third period, which fueled the program's important 4-1 victory over Misericordia University on Friday, Feb. 6, at the Toyota SportsPlex. Max Kontir netted a game-high two goals for LVC, while Mason Proskin provided the game-winner.

The Dutchmen (7-12-2, 7-8-2 MAC) and the Cougars (4-16-1, 4-12-1 MAC) went back and forth defensively at the beginning of the game, as each program recorded a shot on goal that was saved during the opening 3:27 of the first period. Misericordia sent the puck toward the net again at the 8:10 mark, and goaltender Chris Branch delivered a save for Lebanon Valley. The Cougars then started a power play in the 10th minute, but LVC answered with blocks by Jesse Shogan and Collin Nolan, as well as a save by Branch during a successful penalty kill. 

The Flying Dutchmen also worked to generate offensive opportunities in the first period, as Tanner Tolliver put a shot on target that was saved at the 11:48 mark. Misericordia began another power play in the 13th minute, and Lebanon Valley's defense held the opposition to a shot attempt that was blocked by Aidan Bright during its second successful penalty kill. Each program proceeded to register three shots on goal that were saved during the rest of the first frame, prompting the squads to enter the first intermission in a scoreless tie. During this stretch, Cameron Croteau, Nolan, and Cade Helmer each tallied a shot while Branch came through with three stops. 

Branch kept battling when the second period got underway, making three saves for the Dutchmen during the first 37 seconds. Lebanon Valley's offense countered with a pair of shots, as Artur Kondrashov and Bright each had a try saved within six seconds in the first minute. This was followed by Branch making four saves and LVC tallying three shots on goal over the next 4:40. The Flying Dutchmen then began a power play in the seventh minute, which caused Owen Ames and Lukas Washco to each take a shot that was saved. Misericordia later started a power play in the ninth minute, and Branch posted a save for Lebanon Valley at the 9:51 mark during a successful penalty kill. 

The Dutchmen also put five shots on target that were saved during the next 7:11, including four attempts during power plays that began in the 11th and 17th minutes. The squad started a stretch with a 5-on-3 advantage in the 17th minute, leading to Croteau and Helmer each logging a shot that was saved. Lebanon Valley then opened the scoring 17:55 into the second period, taking a 1-0 lead. The team struck first on a power-play goal by Kontir while the program had a two-skater advantage. LVC followed this by recording seven more shots on target during the rest of the frame, which were taken during power plays that began during the 19th and 20th minutes. The Flying Dutchmen outshout the Cougars 20-10 during the period. 

Lebanon Valley remained on a power play at the beginning of the third period and capitalized on this opportunity, taking a 2-0 lead 49 seconds into the frame. The team went up by two when Proskin sent the puck into the back of the net for a power-play goal. Misericordia then went on a power play toward the end of the first minute, and Branch made three saves for LVC during the second minute. The Cougars later scored 2:20 into the third, narrowing their deficit to 2-1 on a power-play goal by Brendan Vettraino. The Dutchmen quickly answered back at the 4:43 mark, taking a 3-1 advantage. The squad tallied its third goal when Croteau sent a shot past the goaltender. 

Misericordia followed this by creating several offensive opportunities, but Branch logged 11 saves for Lebanon Valley over the next 13:37. The program received contributions on the defensive end from several players during this stretch, as Kontir, John King, Reece McDonald, Shogan, and Helmer each blocked a shot. The Dutchmen later tacked on an insurance point with just 28 seconds left, helping secure the team's 4-1 victory. The squad added a tally when Kontir scored an empty net goal, marking his second goal of the night. 

Inside the Box Score

• The Flying Dutchmen secured a sweep of the season series against the Cougars, as LVC won two of its three meetings with Misericordia.
• Kontir recorded a career-high two goals, which matched a career-high two points. The sophomore has scored five goals so far this winter. Kontir also posted 11 faceoff wins and tied a career-high two blocks. 
• Proskin netted his fourth goal of the season.
• Croteau scored his third goal of the campaign, while winning three faceoffs and registering a season-high two blocks. The senior also tied a game-high and career-high six shots on target. 
• Branch made a game-high 30 saves. 
• Lebanon Valley and Misericordia each put 31 shots on goal. 
• Defensively, the Dutchmen logged an 18-11 advantage in blocked shots.
• Nolan delivered a game-high three blocks, tying a season-high. 
• Shogan, Bright, and Helmer each tallied two blocks as well. This tied Helmer's career-high in blocks. 
• LVC had a 35-31 advantage in faceoff victories. 
• Tolliver and King each won six faceoffs. King also blocked a shot on the defensive end. 

Up Next
The Flying Dutchmen will return to the ice tomorrow, Saturday, Feb. 7, at 4 p.m., when the team will travel to take on King's College at the Revolution Ice Centre in Pittston, Pa.

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