PITTSTON, PA (November 15, 2025) -- Despite a strong start to the game, the King's College men's ice hockey team fell 5-2 to Alvernia University on Saturday afternoon in Middle Atlantic Conference play at Revolution Ice Centre. The Monarchs now stand at 0-4-0 overall and in MAC competition. The Golden Wolves jump to 5-1-0 on the season and 3-1-0 in the MAC. 

King's opened the scoring just 1:58 into the first period. With a solid net-front presence by Landon Bechtolt, the Monarchs swung the puck around the offensive zone. Logan Gallagher sent a shot toward the goal from the far-side boards that was redirected by Bechtolt before Cristo Walker tipped the puck past the goalie. Bechtolt and Gallagher assisted on Walker's second of the season to put King's up 1-0.

The Monarchs continued to battle through heavy pressure, with Diego D'Alessandro making 10 saves in the frame and defenders like Zane Burleigh and Teodor Benno Vaage blocking key attempts. Despite the effort, Alvernia answered quickly at 2:32, then added goals at 11:27 and 12:43 to take a 3-1 lead into the first intermission.

The second period saw King's generate its best offensive stretch, firing 15 shots on goal and earning two power-play opportunities. Grant Parshall, Erik Hegyi, and Gallagher all tested the opposing netminder, while Burleigh and Jayden Baldinelli came up with critical blocks during penalty kills. D'Alessandro and Kenny Vought, who entered midway through the frame, combined for 14 saves to keep the Monarchs within reach. A pair of even-strength goals by Alvernia at 5:17 and 6:31 widened the gap to 5-1 heading into the final frame.

King's continued to push in the third, outshooting Alvernia 15-7. The Monarchs capitalized on a power play at 2:24, when Walker struck again for his second goal of the game. Bechtolt set up the play with a crisp centering feed, and Walker finished with an impressive backhanded shot that snuck by the netminder to cut the deficit to 5-2. Bechtolt and  Artsiom Barashkin picked up helpers on the goal.

The Monarchs killed off a late penalty thanks to Vought's sharp goaltending and blocks from Burleigh and Barashkin.

Walker led the offense with two goals on four shots, while Gallagher and Barashkin each added an assist. Vought finished with 15 saves in relief, while D'Alessandro stopped 16 in the opening period and a half. Burleigh paced the defense with seven blocks, and Parshall won 14 faceoffs to anchor the Monarchs in the circle.

King's returns to action on Friday, November 21, traveling to Neumann University for another MAC faceoff at IceWorks Skating Complex at 7:00 p.m.
 

--MONARCHS--