WILKES-BARRE, PA (February 8, 2023) --- The King's College men's ice hockey team fell to visiting Wilkes University 3-0 on Wednesday night. With the loss, King's falls to 4-15-2 overall, 3-12-1 in United Collegiate Hockey Conference action and 2-5-1 in MAC play, while Wilkes improves to 12-8-1 overall, 10-6-0 in UCHC play, and 7-1-0 in MAC action.
 
It was a back-and-forth affair to start, as Wilkes (12-8-1, 10-6-0, 7-1-0) fired off the only shot of the first four minutes, forcing junior goaltender Ismael Ralsten into an early save. King's (4-15-2, 3-12-1, 2-5-1) responded with their first shot of the contest at 4:24 as sophomore Tyler Blanchard's effort was turned aside. The teams traded chances for the remainder of the period, as the squads remained scoreless after the first period.
 
The Colonels came out firing to start the second period scoring three times in the first 6:47. Wilkes opened the scoring at 1:20 on a goal by Matt Carlson, before doubling their lead just 17 seconds later as Cam Lowe beat Ralsten to put the Colonels up 2-0 just 1:37 into the frame. Wilkes extended the lead just over five minutes later as Ben Stefanini finished a passing play from Christian Blomquist to put the Colonels up 3-0 at 6:47, a lead they took into the second intermission. The Monarchs looked to get back into the game in the third period but were unable to find the back of the net, as King's fell 3-0.
 
Ralsten continued his strong play in net, stopping 37 of 40 shots. Offensively, the Monarchs were led by Blanchard who tallied six shots on goal, while sophomore Patrick Nowak added five shots. King's won 31 of 72 face-offs, led by sophomore Brendan Krawczyk who won nine of 13, and Blanchard who won 9 of 23. King's went 2-2 on the penalty kill, while going 0-5 on the power play.
 
Garrett Nieto got the start in net, stopping all 28 shots faced. Carlson paced the Colonels, tallying two points on one goal and one assist. Wilkes went 0-2 on the power play and 5-5 on the penalty kill, while winning 41 of 72 face-offs.
 
King's heads back on the road, to take on Lebanon Valley College on Friday night at 7 p.m. at Historic Hersheypark Arena.