Reading, Pa (February 17, 2024) - Alvernia University (12-11-2, 10-9-1) tallied two third period goals including a game winner from senior Eli Rivers to power the Golden Wolves past Lebanon Valley (7-18-0, 6-14-0) 3-2, in a UCHC men's ice hockey matchup Saturday night at BodyZone. 

The Golden Wolves struck first in the first two minutes of the game but the Dutchmen responded with a goal in the final two minutes of the period. Both teams netted goals in the first ten minutes of the third period before Rivers found the game winner to secure the victory in the regular season finale. 

How it Happened

• Alvernia got on the board early after Jordan Gagnon connected with Jason Finan who backhanded the puck past the LVC goalie and into the back of the net to give the Golden Wolves an early one goal lead. 
• The Dutchmen leveled the score with 1:03 left in the opening period when Brock Stitley and Cade Helmer assisted Blake Tosto to make it 1-1 heading into the first intermission.
• A scoreless second period was highlighted by the Dutchmen sending 12 shots on goal to Alvernia's eight but Golden Wolves goalie Jackson Fellner saved all 12 to keep the score knotted at one heading into the final intermission. 
• The Golden Wolves grabbed the lead again just under four minutes into the third period when Matthew Imbriano and Logan vande Meerakker assisted senior Christian Dahl to make it a 2-1 Alvernia lead. 
• Lebanon Valley responded six minutes later when Harris Blackwood assisted Brenden Yingling to tie the game at two with ten minutes to go in the third. 
• Alvernia then grabbed the lead yet again with 6:28 on the clock when senior Eli Rivers lit the lamp for the Golden Wolves after assists from Vincent Servizzi and senior Andrew Deschenes to make it 3-2 Golden Wolves. 
• The Dutchmen sent six shots at the Alvernia net in the final five minutes of the game but Fellner continued to be a brick wall in goal for the Golden Wolves as they secured the 3-2 victory. 

Inside the Box Score

• Rivers led the Golden Wolves with the game winning goal with Christian Dahl and Jason Finan recording the other two for Alvernia. 
• Jordan Gagnon, Logan vande Meerakker, Matthew Imbriano, Vincent Servizzi and Andrew Deschenes all recorded assists on the night. 
• Deschenes' assist marks seven games in his last ten that the senior defenseman has recorded a point. 
• Jackson Fellner was a brick wall in goal for the Golden Wolves. He recorded 30 saves in net tonight and got the win. 

Of Note 

• The victory secured the Golden Wolves as the #4 seed in the UCHC playoffs and secured Alvernia as a hosting seed. 
• Alvernia will be hosting a UCHC playoff game in just its second season as a NCAA DIII hockey program. 

Up Next

• The Golden Wolves are back in action on Wednesday when they host Manhattanville in a UCHC quarterfinal game. Puck drop is TBD.