HERSHEY, PA (February 11, 2023) --- Sophomore Kent Lee's power play goal with 1:04 remaining and sophomore Luke Babilon's empty net goal lifted the King's College men's ice hockey team to a thrilling 3-1 come from behind win over Lebanon Valley College on Saturday night at Hersheypark Arena. With the win, King's improves to 6-15-2 overall, 5-12-1 in United Collegiate Hockey Conference play, and 4-5-1 in MAC action, while Lebanon Valley falls to 2-19-2 overall, 1-16-1 in UCHC play, and 0-7-1 in the MAC.
 
It was a back-and-forth affair to start, as Lebanon Valley (2-19-2, 1-16-1, 0-7-1) recorded the first shot of the contest just 39 seconds in, forcing an early save from senior goaltender Tyler Sayger. King's (6-15-2, 5-12-1, 4-5-1) responded with six of the next seven shots of the game but were unable to breakthrough. The teams traded chances for the remainder of the period but headed into the first intermission scoreless.
 
The second period went much like the first period, as the squads traded opportunities throughout. However, the Flying Dutchmen finally found the opening goal at 19:19 as Darion Benchich beat Sayger to give Lebanon Valley a 1-0 lead heading into the third period. The Monarchs pushed for an equalizer, and finally found it just past the midway point of the third period. Sophomore Tyler Blanchard got sprung on a short-handed chance and beat Chris Branch at 11:53 to tie the game at one. Late in regulation, the game looked like it was headed to overtime but King's were given a power play. With just over a minute remaining, Lee collected a lose puck in front of the goal, burying the rebound, and putting the Monarchs up 2-1 at 18:56. Babilon added an empty netter at 19:34, as King's came back for the 3-1 win.
 
Sayger was fantastic in net, stopping 32 of 33 shots, while picking up the win. Offensively, the Monarchs had seven players total one point, led by Blanchard, Lee, and Babilon, who all recorded a goal. King's won 30 of 57 face-offs, led by sophomore Brendan Krawczyk who won eight of 15 draws. The Monarchs went 1-4 on the power play and 4-5 on the penalty kill, adding a shorthanded goal.
 
Chris Branch got the start in net, making 40 saves on 42 shots. The Flying Dutchmen were offensively led by Benchich, who tallied the lone goal. Lebanon Valley went 1-5 on the power play and 3-4 on the penalty kill, while winning 27 of 57 face-offs.
 
King's returns home to close out the regular season against Manhattanville on Friday night at the Revolution Ice Centre, with puck drop set for 7 p.m.