Wilkes-Barre, Pa. (November 6, 2026) — Alvernia men's ice hockey (0-3, 0-1 MAC) dropped their conference opener to the Wilkes Colonels (2-1, 1-0 MAC) up in Wilkes-Barre on Friday afternoon.
After a scoreless first period, the Golden Wolves captain, Peter Lopes, opened up the scoring in the second period with a screaming slap shot from just above the face off dot that put the Golden Wolves ahead 1-0 over the Colonels. As the second period was expiring, the Golden Wolves would go on the penalty kill with a tripping call against them. With just 30 seconds left in the power play, the Colonels evened things up to make it a 1-1 game going into the third period. The Colonels would convert on another power play 10 minutes into the third period, which ultimately proved to be the game winner.
How it Happened:
- The opening period favored the Golden Wolves early, who held relentless pressure in the defensive zone of the Colonels. Less than two minutes into play, the likes of Vincent Gazquez, Keegan Driscoll, and Peter Lopes all fired shots that were either blocked or saved by the Colonels' netminder.
- The tide changed in the first period when the Golden Wolves would find themselves on the penalty kill for the first time in the game, but the penalty kill was stubborn, and Jeff Kreidler pushed aside three shots on goal throughout the duration of the kill.
- Alvernia forced a power play just after their kill with nine minutes to play in the first period, but despite heavy offensive flurries, they were held at bay and headed into the first intermission tied 0-0.
- As the clock hit the midway point of the second period, still scoreless, the Golden Wolves turned to their captain to spark something. After a corner scrum that was won by Vincent Gazquez, Austin Osiowy rounded the defensive zone and sent a pass over to Lopes, who skated into the ice that was presented ahead of him and ripped a slap shot past the Wilkes goalie to break the ice.
- Penalties proved to be the Achilles' heel of the Golden Wolves, however, who faced five penalty kills and conceded two goals on those opportunities, both goals proving to be the difference. The first came as time expired in the second period and the game winner came half way through the third where the Colonels were able to hold on to the lead for the remainder of the game.
Inside the Box Score:
- Peter Lopes was the lone goal scorer for the Golden Wolves. It was the second of his career and first of the season.
- Lopes' goal was assisted by Austin Osiowy and Vincent Gazquez. Osiowy recorded his first collegiate point, while Gazquez added to the two points he already had in their two previous games.
- The Golden Wolves were on the penalty kill five times tonight and were able to turn aside the Colonels on three of those five occasions.
- Nolan Kazeil led with two blocked shots for the Golden Wolves.
- The Golden Wolves won just over 50% of the face offs, going 42-for-81.
- Jeff Kreidler recorded 36 saves in the contest and ended his night with a .947 save percentage.
Up Next:
The Golden Wolves welcome another MAC foe for their home opener against Arcadia tomorrow night at 7:00 PM in search of their first win of the year.
