GENEVA, N.Y.—The Hobart College hockey team took a 2-1 lead in the first period and never looked back, as the Statesmen went on to defeat Nazareth 5-2 in an ECAC West game, their home opener, played tonight in The Cooler. Hobart improves to 3-2-0 overall and 2-1-0 in conference play.
The Golden Flyers suffered their first loss of the year and are now 2-1-1 overall and 1-1-1 in the ECAC West. Junior Ben Gamache (Longlac, Ontario) led the Statesmen with a goal and an assist. Five different players notched a goal in the win for Hobart, and the Statesmen penalty kill shined, denying the Golden Flyers on all nine of their power-play attempts. First-year goalieFrank Oplinger (Sewickley, Pa.) made 45 saves in his second collegiate win.
Nazareth struck first just 5:32 into the first period. Justin LaCorte batted the puck out of the air and across the goal line after a pass across the front of the goal by Ben Blasko. Ryan Walter also earned an assist on the play. First-year Andrew Sillard (Greenwich, Conn.) evened the score for the Statesmen with his first collegiate goal 1:07 later. Seniors Sean Rudy (Long Sault, Ontario) and Bronson Kovacs (Sault Ste Marie, Ontario) logged the assists. At 10:01in the first, Gamache lifted a shot into the back of the goal while Hobart was shorthanded to take a 2-1 lead. After a clear out by the Statesmen penalty kill unit, senior Brad McBride (Lone Tree, Colo.) intercepted a pass behind the goal by the Nazareth goalie who was trying to assist in getting the puck back into the Golden Flyer offensive zone. McBride sent a short pass to Gamache out in front who buried his shot for his second goal of the season.
Hobart extended its lead to 3-2 just 2:09 into the second period. Senior Tommaso Traversa (Torino, Italy) battled hard to keep the puck in the Statesmen’s offensive zone. He dished to classmate Robert Sovik (Prague, Czech Repbulic) who found junior Mac Olson (Grosse Pointe, Mich.) out in front to notch his third goal of the year. With 2:48 left in the second period, Rocky Gruttadauria registered Nazareth’s second goal. Tom Seravalli set up the play. However, the Statesmen kept their momentum finding the back of the net for the fourth time with just 22 seconds left in the second period. First-year Tyler Wolf (Naperville, Ill.) dished to sophomoreNick Bingaman (Paradise Valley, Ariz.) who placed his shot in the upper right corner for his third goal this year.
Hobart logged the lone goal of the third period, capitalizing on a power play. Sophomore Carl Belizario (Dorval, Quebec) drilled a shot into the back of the net after passes from junior Bo Webster (Aurora, Ontario) and Gamache. The Statesmen went 1-for-3 on the power play. Nazareth had one of its best scoring chances in the third period. With 4:27 remaining and the Golden Flyers on the power play, Blasko got by his defender for a one-on-one with the goalie, but Oplinger made the point blank glove save.
Nazareth held a 47-32 advantage in shots. Ed Zdolshek played all 60 minute in goal for the Golden Flyers and finished with 27 saves.
