Hershey, PA – The nationally-ranked No. 15 Utica College men’s hockey team lost a 6-1 decision against host Lebanon Valley College in United Collegiate Hockey Conference action at The GIANT Center on Sunday evening.
UC, winners of three of its last five games, saw its record drop to 3-4 overall and 3-2 in UCHC play. Lebanon Valley snapped a three game winless streak and improved to 3-2-2 on the season.
The Pioneers earned a convincing 43-18 shot advantage on the afternoon, but two goals allowed in each period and an impressive 42 save effort from LVC goalie Tyler Perhac led to the five goal Dutchman victory.
After falling into a 3-0 hole, the Pioneers got on the board when sophomore Conor Landrigan (New Tripoli, PA/Binghamton Jr. Sens (NAHL)) netted his second goal of the season off an assist from Shawn Lynch (Syracuse, NY/Ottawa Jr. Senators (CCHL)) to make the score 3-1 in favor of the home team. LVC’s Bryan Hovanec helped add to the Dutchmen lead when he netted his second of three goals on the afternoon, short-handed, before the end of the second period.
LVC went on to net two more third period goals to secure the victory for the Dutchmen. Brett Johnson and Cole Hepler each totaled three points on one goal and two assists for the home team.
Utica’s Gianluca Baggetta (Maple, Ontario/North York (OJHL)) stopped five shots in net before exiting the game in favor of freshman Sean Dickson (Millbrae, CA/Hampton Roads Whalers (USPHL-Premier)) in the second period. Dickson finished the game with seven saves for the visitors.
UC went 0-for-8 on the power-play, while the home team posted a 1-for-4 effort and added a short-handed goal.
The Pioneers return to action on Friday when they travel to the Wisconsin-Stevens Point Holiday Tournament to take on St. Thomas at 3:30 p.m. (CT). The tournament’s consolation and championship game will be played at 3:30 p.m./7:30 p.m. (CT) on Saturday. Host and nationally-ranked No. 1 Wisconsin-Stevens Point and Nichols will play in Friday’s night cap.
