Photo provided by LVC Athletics

By: Justin Hall ’22, staff writer

In what has been an unprecedented year for collegiate athletics, the LVC men’s ice hockey team is focused on beginning their 2021 season on February 26, when they host Nazareth College at Hersheypark Arena.

The Dutchmen are slated to play a conference-only 10-game schedule. The Middle Atlantic Conference announced that fans will not be permitted to attend games when the season begins but will not rule out the possibility of allowing a small number as the season progresses.

“Mentally, it’s been tough to prepare for a season filled with so many unknowns,” Danny Galvez, senior team captain, said. “Up to this point, the guys have been very resilient and are continuing to push the pace to get better every single day.”

Currently, the United Collegiate Hockey Conference is the only Division III hockey conference on the East Coast that intends to proceed with competition. Each team will have its players tested weekly and always within 72 hours of competition, in compliance with NCAA protocols.

“I think everybody is just ready to play,” Zach Balodis, senior assistant captain, said. “We’ve practiced the past few months without really knowing if we’re even going to get the opportunity to compete. Now that it’s finally here, we’re excited to get going.”                           

LVC hockey can be streamed live all season long at www.godutchmen.com.