GENEVA, N.Y.—Nine Statesmen logged a point as the Hobart College hockey team downed visiting Wesleyan 4-1 in a non-conference game played tonight at The Cooler. The Statesmen improve to 6-3-0 with the win, while the Cardinals fall to 2-5-0.
The Statesmen jumped out to a 1-0 lead just 1:16 into the game. Sophomore Jon Neal (Encinitas, Calif.) scored his first goal of the season glove side off passes from seniors Tommaso Traversa (Torino, Italy) and Robert Sovik (Prague, Czech Republic).
The Cardinals tied things up 10:02 into the second period. Cole Morrisette found the back of the net to make it 1-1. Quincy Oujevolk and Jordan Jancze earned the assists. However, just 1:13 later, Hobart took back the lead on a goal by sophomore Nick Bingaman (Paradise Valley, Ariz.). It was his fourth tally this season and came through a scramble in front of the net and after back and forth passing with classmate Bobby Sokol (Belle Vernon, Pa.). Then 2:17 later, juniorBen Gamache (Longlac, Ontario) extended the Statesmen lead to 3-1. It was also his fourth goal of the season. SeniorTerrence O’Neill (Kearny, N.J.) and junior Bo Webster (Aurora, Ontario) set up the play.
Junior Brad Robbins (Murrieta, Calif.) notched his second goal of the season in the third period to cap the victory. Robbins intercepted a Wesleyan clear out attempt and carried the puck into the offensive zone for a one-on-one with the Cardinals goalie, lifting his shot into the back of the net at 10:05 into the third. With 2:40 remaining, Terence Durkin came inches away from scoring for Wesleyan, when he banged a shot off the right post.
The Statesmen finished with a 43-24 advantage in shots. First-year goalie Frank Oplinger played all 60 minutes in between the pipes for Hobart and made 23 saves. Dawson Sprigings played all 60 minutes in goal for Wesleyan and made 39 saves. The Statesmen went 0-for-3 on the power play, while the Cardinals finished 0-for-2.
