HERSHEY, Pa. — David Powlowski scored a goal and assisted on two others and Sean Kuhn made 18 of his 34 saves in the third period as visiting Nazareth posted a 4-0 victory over Lebanon Valley Friday in United Collegiate Hockey Conference action at the GIANT Center.
The Golden Flyers remained unbeaten at 4–0-3 overall and 2-0-2 in UCHC action. Lebanon Valley is 2-2-2 overall and 1-2-2 in conference games. It was the Golden Flyers’ first shutout win since Feb. 4 when they blanked Chatham 4-0. Kuhn also was in goal for that game. It also was the first shutout on the road since Dec. 31, 2016 when they defeated Oswego 3-0 at the Norwich Tournament.
“It was really a great effort,” said Nazareth Coach George Roll. “The first two periods were probably the best 40 minutes we’ve played so far. Our special teams executed and Sean made some big saves for us at the right time — especially in the third period.”
Three of the Golden Flyers’ four goals came on the power play as they were successful on three of their five opportunities. The first two goals came on the same five-minute power play in the first period as LVC’s John Wendling was assessed a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct for contact to the head of Nazareth’s Austin Romzek. The vicious hit left Romzek with a head injury that could sideline him indefinitely.
“It was a terrible hit,” Roll said. “He’ll probably be out for a while.”
The penalty came at 11:56 and Alex Corvi scored less than two minutes later as Powlowski and J.R. Wojciechowski assisted. Before the penalty expired, Powlowski scored his team-leading fifth goal with linemates Corvi and Justin Miller assisting.
Nazareth scored again in the second and third periods. Matt Manzella scored his second goal of the season at 5:24 of the second with James McDonald gaining the assist.
Lebanon Valley dominated the final 20 minutes with an 18-3 advantage in shots on goal, but Kuhn was equal to the challenge in his second start of the season. He lowered his goals-against average to 1.92 and raised his save percentage to .942. Despite the lopsided differential in shots, Nazareth was able to capitalize on the only power play of the third period as LVC’s Cole Hepler was called for hooking at 9:18. Justin Miller picked up the goal, his fourth of the season, as Powlowski and Jacob Paluch gained assists.
The Golden Flyers are back in action Saturday evening at Elmira for another UCHC game at Elmira at 7 p.m.
