WILKES-BARRE, PA (January 6, 2023) --- The King's College men's ice hockey team hit the ice for the first time in the new year, falling to visiting Stevenson University 8-1 on Friday at the Revolution Ice Centre. King's falls to 2-7-1 overall, 2-5-1 in UCHC play, and 1-2-1 in MAC play, while Stevenson improves to 6-8-0 overall, 3-4-0 in UCHC play, and 3-0-0 in MAC play.
 
Stevenson (6-8-0, 3-4-0, 3-0-0) started quickly, tallying the first 10 shots of the game, before King's (2-7-1, 2-5-1, 1-2-1) recorded their first shot from graduate student Zach Satalino. The Mustangs struck first just over halfway through the opening frame on the power play, as Eric Olson found the net off assists from Malcolm Palmer and Evan Beers at 12:36. The Monarchs responded quickly, knotting up the score at one, thanks to a goal from sophomore Luke Babilon, finishing off a pass from sophomore Tyler Blanchard to tie the game at 13:30. Just before the end of the period, Stevenson jumped back in front on a goal from Zach Egbar at 19:36 to give the Mustangs a 2-1 lead after 20.
 
Stevenson came out quickly again in the second period, doubling their lead to 3-1, at 1:10 off a goal from Brendan Rylott. The Mustangs rapidly added to their just over two and a half minutes later, as Liam McCanney put Stevenson up 4-1 at 3:48. Stevenson added four more goals in the third period, as the Mustangs took the contest 8-1.
 
Senior Tyler Sayger got the start, making 40 saves on 47 shots, before being replaced by junior Nick Konkel, who made five saves on six shots. Offensively, King's were led by Babilon and Blanchard, who both tallied a point, on a goal and an assist respectively. Blanchard and sophomore Brendan Krawczyk both added three shots in the contest. It was a rough day for the Monarchs in the circle, as King's won 18 of 61 face-offs, led by Krawczyk who won six of 14. The Monarchs went 1-3 on the penalty kill and 0-1 on the power play
 
Ryan Kenny got the start in net, making 19 saves on 20 shots, before giving way to Ford DeLoss who stopped the only shot he faced. The Mustangs were paced offensively by McCanney, Palmer, and Austin Master who all recorded two points in the contest. Stevenson went 2-3 on the power play and 1-1 on the penalty kill, winning 43 of 61 face-offs
 
King's return to action tomorrow night to finish up the weekend set against Stevenson with puck drop scheduled for 6 p.m. at The Revolution Ice Centre.