WILKES-BARRE, PA (November 8, 2025) -- A tough second period proved consequential for the King's College men's ice hockey team, who dropped their Saturday night MAC contest with Wilkes University, 4-0, at the Toyota SportsPlex. The Monarchs fall to 0-2-0 on the season and in the MAC. The Colonels improve to 3-0-1 overall and maintain a 2-0-0 record in conference play.
 
The opening period saw both teams trade chances, but neither could break through. King's goaltender Diego D'Alessandro stood tall in net, turning aside all nine shots he faced in the first 20 minutes. The Monarchs' defense, led by Cristo Walker, Jayden Baldinelli, and Shota Kaneko, blocked several key shots to keep the game scoreless heading into the first intermission.
 
Wilkes wasted no time in the second period, scoring just 46 seconds in to take a 1-0 lead. The Monarchs responded with a flurry of offensive pressure, including shots from Braydon Buckingham and Logan Gallagher, but Wilkes netminder remained perfect between the pipes.
 
A holding penalty at 5:36 of the second period gave the Colonels a power play opportunity, which they capitalized on at 7:29 to double their lead. Wilkes added two more goals before the period ended, including an even-strength tally at 17:53 and another at 19:28 to make it 4-0.
 
The Monarchs' penalty troubles mounted in the third. Despite an extended man disadvantage, the Monarchs' penalty kill unit held firm, preventing any additional goals. Kenny Vought, who replaced D'Alessandro between the pipes in the third, denied all eight Wilkes shots on goal in his 20 minutes of action
 
King's continued to battle in the third period, with Kevin Martin, Kaneko, and Baldinelli all testing the Colonels' goaltender, who turned away all six shots in the final frame to preserve the shutout.
 
Gallagher and Baldinelli led the Monarchs with four shots apiece, while Martin won a team-high eight faceoffs. Baldinelli also contributed three blocked shots, followed by Walker and Kaneko with a pair each. D'Alessandro stopped 21 shots for King's, while Vought finished with eight saves in relief.

The Monarchs return to the Revolution Ice Centre for the first time this season next Friday to host Alvernia University in a MAC showdown. Puck drop in the home opener against the Golden Wolves is slated for 7:00 p.m.