WIlkes- Barre, Pa (Dec. 11, 2022) - Wilkes University (6-7-1, 4-5) scored the game-winner 50 seconds into overtime to defeat Alvernia University (5-6-1, 4-6) 4-3 on Sunday night in UCHC men's ice hockey action at Wilkes.

The Colonels had a breakaway opportunity just under a minute into the 3v3 overtime period. Ben Stefanini crossed the puck to Matt Carlson awaiting off the left post. Carlson tapped the puck in to give the Colonels the 4-3 victory and secure the series sweep over Alvernia.

Wilkes got on the board in the seventh minute of the first period after Stefanini and Carlson assisted Christian Blomquist to give the Colonels an early 1-0 lead. 

Alvernia's Hunter Alden and Andrew Deschenes both tallied two shots on goal for the Golden Wolves and Alden led Alvernia with four total shots in the first period. 

Alvernia leveled the score just under five minutes into the second period when Alden found Jason Finan who fired a shot into the top left corner of the goal to tie the game at 1-1. 

Just over a minute later Wilkes took the lead after Lorenzo Marcolin found the back of the net thanks to assists from Billy Berry and Joe Johnson to give the Colonels a 2-1 lead. 

The Golden Wolves tied it up again in the seventh minute of the period when Lucas Kirk found the back of the net after a pass from Max Cole to level the score at 2-2 with just over 13 minutes left in the period. 

Wilkes took the lead in the 11th minute when Stefanini scored thanks to assists from Cam Lowe and Johnson to make it 3-2 Colonels. 

The Golden Wolves leveled the score yet again with under five minutes left in the period when Max Cole found the back of the net thanks to assists from Alden and Matthew Davies as the game went into the final intermission tied at three. 

Alvernia was held to seven shots in the third period and held off 13 attempts by the Colonels to send the game into overtime.

The Colonels won the overtime puck drop and possessed the puck for the majority of the opening minute. After Alvernia won an early faceoff into the period, the Colonels forced a turnover and headed down the ice. An Alvernia defender tried to slow the breakaway, but the duo of Stefanini and Carlson were able to get by the Alvernia defense and tap in the game-winner. 

Cole led Alvernia with a goal and an assist. Both Davies and Alden finished with two assists for Alvernia. Kyle Patton led Alvernia with 13 faceoff wins. 

Alvernia has a few weeks off before returning to action early in January with a series at Buffalo State that will include an outdoor game.