BRYN ATHYN, Pa. – The Bryn Athyn College men's ice hockey team fell to Lebanon Valley College in its home opener, 1-0, on a third-period goal in Junge Pavilion Friday night.
During the middle of line changes, Zach Balodis played a cross-ice pass to Brad Viola at the far boards. Viola skated around a Bryn Athyn defender and chipped it by Bryn Athyn goaltender McKenzie Chalmers before being hauled down for the only goal with 9:15 left in the third. Cole Hepler also picked up an assist on Viola's fourth goal of the season.
Bryn Athyn (5-3-1) pulled Chalmers with 1:19 remaining in favor of an extra attacker. The Lions put three shots on the Lebanon Valley (3-6-1) net in the final minute but couldn't get one past Aidan Richardson—who finished with 29 saves.
The netminders were the stars of the show during the opening two periods as they kept the game scoreless through 40 minutes. Chalmers made 17 of his 23 saves in the first two periods. Richardson stopped 24 shots, 16 in the second period.
Both teams did a good job staying out of the penalty box, each committing three minors. The penalty killing units each went 2-for-2 for their respective team.
Bryn Athyn travels to Castleton for a weekend series with the Spartans starting on Friday, Dec. 13 at 7 p.m.