For the second night in a row the No. 14 Hobart College hockey team and No. 7 Utica battled to overtime, but this time the Pioneers came away with a 3-2 victory in an ECAC West game played at The Cooler. It was the first loss for the Statesmen (2-2-4 overall, 2-1-3 ECAC West) in conference play.
Utica is now 6-1-1 overall and 5-1-1 in the ECAC West. Adam Graff led the Pioneers with two goals, including the game-winner in overtime, and an assist. Marcus Zeizer played all 64:31 in goal for Utica and made 36 saves.
Six out of Hobart’s eight games have gone into overtime this season. Sophomore Bo Webster (Aurora, N.Y.) and junior Terrence O’Neill (Kearny, N.J.) scored for Statesmen. Sophomore Lino Chimienti (Montreal, Quebec) finished with 30 saves.
Hobart struck first in the opening period. Webster capitalized on a drop pass from junior Brad McBride (Lone Tree, Colo.), scoring a power-play goal top shelf over the right shoulder of Utica’s goalie. Junior Ryan Michel (Camillus, N.Y.) also earned an assist. It was Webster’s second goal this year.
The Statesmen took a 2-0 lead in the second period. O’Neill followed up on a loose puck that was bouncing in front of the net. He knocked it in for another power-play goal moments before the goal came off. Senior Tommy Fiorentino was credited with the assist.
Utica broke through in the third period. Jide Idowu scored off a rush, maneuvering through traffic and reaching around the Hobart goalie for a low shot. Graff and Trever Hertz registered the assists.
The Pioneers held a 6-1 advantage in shots in the overtime period. The Statesmen took a penalty4:09 in, and Utica took advantage of the power play. Graff scored through a scramble in front of the net.
Hobart held a 38-34 edge in shots. The Statesmen went 2-for-4 on the power play and the Pioneers finished 1-for-4.
Hobart will be back in action on Dec. 7 when they travel to take on Wesleyan in a non-conference game at 4 p.m.
