The Hobart College hockey team dropped its ECAC West game 2-0 to Neumann in Aston, Pa., tonight. The Knights ended the Statesmen’s win streak at nine games.
Hobart is now 16-3-2 and 9-2-0 in the ECAC West. The Statesmen’s unbeaten streak that started back on Dec. 4, 2015, ended at 12 games. The Knights improve to 12-6-3 and 4-5-2 in conference play.
Hobart finished the game with a 42-27 advantage in shots. Neumann’s goalie Mitch Wiebe played all 60 minutes and stopped all 42 shots. Sophomore goaltender Frank Oplinger (Sewickley, Pa.) played 58:40 in net for the Statesmen and logged 25 saves.
Despite Hobart holding a 15-8 advantage in shots in the first period, it was Neumann that got on the scoreboard first. With 4:15 on the clock, Casey Rogers’ shot through a crowd in front of the goal gave the Knights the 1-0 lead. Nick Perruccio and Shane Topf registered the assists. Just 4:53 into the second period, Perruccio extended Neumann’s lead, capitalizing on a rebound off a shot by Mike Davis.
The Statesmen came out strong in the third period, posting a 16-5 advantage in shots, including ringing a shot off the crossbar with under five minutes to go. Hobart pulled its goaltender with 1:20 left in regulation for the extra skater, but the Knights defense stood tall.
The Statesmen went 0-for-4 on the power play, and Hobart killed off Neumann’s lone power play chance.
The Statesmen and the Knights will meet again tomorrow, Feb. 6, at 4 p.m.
Goals by Period 1 2 3 Total
Hobart 0 0 0 0
Neumann 1 1 0 2
1st period – 1, NEU, Casey Rogers (Nick Perruccio, Shane Topf)
15:45. Penalties – Jory Mullin, NEU (cross-checking) 6:49.
2nd period – 2, NEU, Nick Perruccio (Mike Davis) 4:53. Penalties –
Tanner Shaw, HOB (tripping) 7:12; Steve Low, NEU (hooking) 12:12;
Lauri Viitanen, NEU (interference) 17:44.
3rd period – Penalties – Nick Perruccio, NEU (elbowing) 9:58.
Shots on goal – HOB 15-11-16 42; NEU 8-14-5 27.
Power plays – HOB 0 of 4; NEU 0 of 1.
Penalties – HOB 1 (2 min); NEU 4 (8 min).
Goalies – HOB, Frank Oplinger (58:40 minutes, 27 shots-25 saves) ,
EMPTY NET (01:20, 0-0); NEU, Mitch Wiebe (60:00, 42-42).
Penalty shots – None.
A-342 T-2:00
Three stars: 1. Mitch Wiebe 2. Nick Perruccio 3. Casey Rogers
Referee:Bob Ritchie; Tony Molina Linesman:Jon H olmes
Win-Mitch Wiebe. Loss-Frank Oplinger.
