HERSHEY, PA (February 10, 2023) --- Sophomore Tyler Blanchard scored with 41 seconds left in regulation as the King's College men's ice hockey team defeated Lebanon Valley College 3-2 on Friday night at Hersheypark Arena. With the win, King's improves to 5-15-2 overall, 4-12-1 in United Collegiate Hockey Conference play, and 3-5-1 in MAC action, while Lebanon Valley falls to 2-18-2 overall, 1-15-1 in UCHC play, and 0-6-1 in the MAC.
 
It was a back-and-forth affair to start, as Lebanon Valley (2-18-2, 1-15-1, 0-6-1) tallied the first shot at 1:21 forcing an early save from senior Tyler Sayger. King's (5-15-2, 4-12-1, 3-5-1) responded just over a minute later with their first shot, as graduate student Zach Satalino's effort was stopped. The teams traded chances for the remainder of the period but headed into the first intermission scoreless.
 
The Flying Dutchmen started quickly in the second period, as Dylan Gutierrez beat Syager to put Lebanon Valley up 1-0 at 1:15. The Monarchs replied just over six minutes later, as sophomore Kent Lee found the back of the net at 7:39 off an assist from sophomore Casey Gerstein to tie the game at one. Just 38 seconds later, King's jumped in front as sophomore Denys Arkhypenko scored unassisted at 8:17 to go in front 2-1, a lead they took into the third period.
 
Lebanon Valley once again scored early, this time in the third period, as Haralds Jirgens tied the game at two at 1:50. The squads traded opportunities for the remainder of the period, looking for a winner. With the game looking like it was head to overtime, the Flying Dutchmen pulled the goalie needing the regulation win, setting up Blanchard's game winner with 41 seconds left, giving King's the 3-2 win.
 
Sayger was fantastic in net, stopping 39 of 41 shots, picking up the win. Offensively, the Monarchs were led by Lee and Gerstein, who both recorded two points, on a goal and an assist, and two assists respectively. King's won 22 of 64 face-offs, led by sophomore Brendan Krawczyk who won six of 17. King's went 0-2 on the power play and 2-3 on the penalty kill.
 
Gabriel Pigeon got the start in goal, making 33 saves on 35 shots. The Flying Dutchmen were led by Harris Blackwood, who recorded two assists. Lebanon Valley went 1-3 on the power play and 2-2 on the penalty kill, while winning 42 of 64 face-offs.
 
King's finishes the weekend series against Lebanon Valley on Saturday at Hersheypark Arena, with puck drop scheduled for 7 p.m.