Reading, Pa. (Feb. 21, 2024) - #4 Alvernia University (13-11-2) used a four goal third period to power past #5 Manhattanville College (9-17) 6-1 on Wednesday night in the UCHC quarterfinal at Alvernia's Body Zone.

The Golden Wolves and Valiants were tight through the first two periods as Alvernia held the slight 2-1 lead. The Golden Wolves then scored four unanswered for the 6-1 win.

How it Happened

• After a deadlocked opening ten minutes, Logan vande Meerakker found the back of the net on a backhanded shot off the assists of Andrew Deschenes and Max Cole 10:09 into the first period.
• Alvernia's lead lasted just over five minutes until the Valiants evened it up at 1-1 with 4:27 to play in the first period.
• 21 seconds into the first period, Matthew Imbriano scored his first goal of his collegiate career to give Alvernia the 2-1 lead. It would turn out to also be the game-winning goal.
• The Valiants sent in 16 shots on net during the second period, but Alvernia goalie Jackson Fellner stopped all 16 to keep Alvernia in front, 2-1, heading into the final frame.
• Alvernia used another early goal to kick off the third period and take a 3-1 lead as Sawyer Senio found the back of the goal off the assists of Hunter Alden and Jason Finan.
• The Golden Wolves kept it rolling from there. Jordan Gagnon scored with just over six minutes remaining off the assist of vande Meerakker and Imbriano to take the 4-1 lead.
• The Valiants then went with an empty net on a power play for a 6v4 opportunity with 4:12 remaining, but the man-up opportunity for Manhattanville ended up going in favor of the Golden Wolves. Peter Falivena got a turnover off of his defender and flicked the puck into goal to give Alvernia the 5-1 advantage.
• Frazer Dodd added a goal for good measure with 1:50 to play off assists from Dean Noonan and Sean Kenny.
• Fellner made another 13 saves in net for the Golden Wolves in the third period as Alvernia clinched the quarterfinal win, 6-1.

Inside the Box Score

• Fellner made a total of 43 saves in net for the 6-1 win. He finished just four saves shy of his career-high mark of 47.
• Six different skaters scored a goal for the Golden Wolves and nine skaters finished with an assist. Vande Meerakker led Alvernia with three points off of  a goal and two assists. 
• Andrew Deschenes finished with a team-high three blocks. 

Of Note

• Tonight's win marked Alvernia's first playoff win in program history. The Golden Wolves made the playoffs last season in their first year, but fell to Nazareth 5-1 in the quarters.
• Alvernia had its second-lowest penalty total of the season in the win, with just three penalties for six minutes. 
• Alvernia was outshot 44-38 by the Valiants. Alvernia has now been outshot in six of its 13 wins. 

Up Next

• Alvernia will go to top-seeded Utica on Saturday night at 7:00 PM.
• The Golden Wolves fell to Utica 6-0 and 4-1 earlier this month. Alvernia led Utica 1-0 through the first 41 minutes of game two, but Utica scored four unanswered for the 4-1 win.
• The Pioneers defeated Nazareth with three third period goals for a 3-0 win earlier tonight.