December 10 , 2004

GENEVA, N.Y.—The 14th-ranked Hobart College ice hockey team scored a pair of goals 38 seconds apart in the third period for a 3-1 victory over visiting Wesleyan University this evening at The Cooler. The Statesmen push their unbeaten streak to a record eight games, surpassing the 2003-04 squad’s mark of seven.

After a scoreless first period that featured just a combined 17 shots, the two teams picked up the intensity in the second stanza. The Cardinals (2-5) got things started 3:07 into the session when Will Bennett (Dedham, Mass.) lifted the puck over Hobart goaltender Dimitri Papaevagelou’s (Windham, N.H.) shoulder for his second power-play goal of the year and 1-0 Wesleyan lead.

Exactly 11 minutes later on a power play of its own, Statesmen junior Matthew Garman (Wexford, Pa.) fired a pass right on Craig Levey’s (Mississauga, Ontario) stick on the weak side to tie the game at one apiece. Levey’s third power-play score of the year, he needs just four more to tie the career mark of 27 held by Keith Levinthal ’95.

Still knotted at one midway through the third period, junior defenseman Greg Gallagher (Framingham, Mass.) notched his third goal of the year off an assist from first-year Edward Brzek (Duxbury, Mass.) for what proved to be the game-winner. Just 38 seconds later, Garman iced the victory for the Statesmen knocking the puck in with his skate for his second goal of the year. He was assisted by junior Edward Poirier (Methuen, Mass.) and Levey.

Hobart’s penalty kill was outstanding again, holding the Cardinals to just 1-for-5 on the power play. Narrowly outshooting Wesleyan 27-23, the Statesmen finished the night 1-for-3 on power-play opportunities.

Between the pipes, Hobart’s Papaevagelou made 22 stops to remain unbeaten (5-0-3) on the year, while Steve Binswanger (Blue Bell, Pa.) made 24 stops.

The Statesmen (6-1-4) return to action tomorrow, Dec. 11, hosting 11th-ranked SUNY Oswego at 4 p.m.