The No. 9/10 Hobart College hockey team was edged 3-2 in overtime tonight in its season opener, a non-league game, played at Elmira College.
The Statesmen will play their home opener on Sunday, Oct. 29, when the host No. 7 Oswego in another non-league game at 4 p.m. The Soaring Eagles play at Oswego tomorrow at 7 p.m.
After a scoreless first period, Elmira broke through 1:31 into the second. Anthony Mangano capitalized on a Soaring Eagles’ power play after a pass from Harry Kramer. It was Hobart’s turn to take advantage of a power play at 8:52 in the second. Sophomore Zach Sternbach knotted the game at one after passes from junior Tanner Shaw and senior Tyler Wolf.
At 8:29 into the third period, Matthew Cuce took back the lead for Elmira. Connor Powell and Nick Ford were credited with the assists. Junior Cam Shaheen tied the game up for the Statesmen with 3:54 left in regulation. First-years Alec Robitaille and Ryan Lynch earned their first collegiate points on the assists. However, 2:08 into the extra period, Cuce registered the game winner for the Soaring Eagles. Kramer and Powell set up the goal.
Senior Frank Oplinger played 62:48 in goal for Hobart and finished with 19 saves. Jake Sabourin played all 62:52 in net for Elmira and made 42 saves. The Statesmen held a 44-22 advantage in shots. Hobart went 1-for-6 on the power play, while Elmira finished 1-for-4.
