Pittston, Pa. (Jan. 27, 2023) - Alvernia University (6-11-2, 5-9-1) held off King's College (3-12-2, 2-9-1) to come away with a 3-2 win over the Monarchs in the first game of a UCHC weekend series against King's on Friday night in Pittston.

King's got on the board first after Alvernia goalie Brandon Daigle made an initial save off the shot of Samuel Libetti. Deny Arkypenko crashed the net and tapped in the rebound off the Daigle save into the opposite side of the net.

Alvernia evened it up on a back-handed shot by Isaac Chapman off a rebounded save with just over five minutes to play in the period.

Alvernia took the 2-1 lead just two minutes later when Jason Finan fired a shot just inside the right post off of passes from Hunter Alden and Sawyer Senio.

A minute later, Alvernia had a power play opportunity, but was only able to fire off three shots as the Monarchs killed the penalty without any damage done.

The Monarchs evened it up at 2-2 four minutes into the second frame with Arkypenko scoring for the second time on the night, again on a put-back shot. 

The back and forth continued with Alvernia retaking the lead at 3-2 with just three and a half minutes to play in the second period. Jordan Gagnon had a breakaway that started back in Alvernia's defensive zone. Gagnon avoided multiple defenders and appeared to be preparing to take the puck behind the King's net. Instead, he flicked a shot in off the right post to give Alvernia the 3-2 lead.

Alvernia killed off a penalty in the final two minutes of the period to hold the 3-2 lead going into the third.

The Golden Wolves held off a third period push by the Monarchs. King's outshot Alvernia on goal 17-9 in the final 20 minutes. Alvernia killed off an early power-play, but then had to face an extra man on the ice in the final minutes as King's went empty net.

Jason Finan forced an offside by the Monarchs to force King's to reset during a barrage of activity in front of the net. Alvernia won the ensuing faceoff, but King's regrouped and headed back down the ice. Alvernia's defense held strong alongside three late saves by Daigle and a block by Brendan McBride to preserve the 3-2 win over the Monarchs.

Daigle finished with 43 saves in net for Alvernia. Peter Falivena finished with a team-high 10 faceoff wins

Alvernia will look to sweep the series tomorrow when the Golden Wolves return to King's.