WILKES-BARRE, PA (January 27, 2023) --- The King's College men's ice hockey team fell to visiting Alvernia University, as a late second period goal from the Golden Wolves gave the visitors a 3-2 win. With the loss King's falls to 3-12-2 overall, 2-9-1 in United Collegiate Hockey Conference play, and 1-4-1 in MAC play, while Alvernia improves to 6-11-2 overall, 5-9-1 in UCHC play, and 1-6-0 in the MAC.
 
King's (3-12-2, 2-9-1, 1-4-1)) came out of the gates, starting quickly, tallying the first four shots of the contest, with sophomore Brendan Krawczyk recording the first effort. Alvernia (6-11-2, 5-9-1, 1-6-0) responded with the next three shots of the game, forcing senior goaltender Ismael Ralsten into three saves. The Monarchs struck first however, at 8:55 as sophomore Denys Arkhypenko found the back of the net, as first-year Samuel Libetti and sophomore Alexander Ray picked up the assists. The Golden Wolves responded just under six minutes later, as Isaac Chapman finished off a pass from Will White to tie the score at one, at 14:26. Just under two minutes later, Jason Finan put Alvernia in front at 16:20 on assists from Hunter Alden and Sawyer Senio, to give Alvernia a 2-1 lead after the first period.
 
The Monarchs once again started quickly in the second period, as Arkhypenko picked up his second goal of the game, burying the rebound after Ray's initial shot was turned away, to knot the game at two at 3:52. The teams traded opportunities through the middle of the period, before the Golden Wolves took the lead again as Jordan Gagnon's shot got through Ralsten to put Alvernia up 3-2 going into the third period. King's pushed hard for an equalizer in the third, getting plenty of chances, with the best coming from Arkhypenko on an early power play, but both of his efforts were turned away. King's pulled the goalie late in the period, and had two more chances to tie the game, but were unable to breakthrough as Alvernia held on for the 3-2 win.
 
Ralsten returned to action in goal, turning away 32 of 35 shots, Offensively, King's were led by Arkhypenko's two goals and Ray's two assists, as Libetti also added an assist. The Monarchs held a slim advantage in the face-off circle, winning 37 of 71 draws, led by sophomore Tyler Blanchard who won 14 of 23. King's continued their strong play on the penalty kill going 2-2, while going 0-2 on the power play.
 
Brandon Daigle got the start in goal, making 43 saves on 45 shots. Alvernia had seven players total one point in the contest, led by Gagnon, Finan, and Chapman who all recorded a goal. The Golden Wolves went 0-2 on the power play and 2-2 on the penalty kill, while winning 34 of 37 face-offs.
 
King's will finish off the weekend home stand as the Monarchs host Alvernia for the second game at 7 p.m. at the Revolution Ice Centre.