February 10, 2006

Longo stopped 29 shots to become the Hobart career and season shutouts record holder as the seventh-ranked Statesmen blanked Utica 1-0 this evening. (photo by Kevin Colton)

GENEVA, N.Y.—Hobart College first-year goaltender Keith Longo (Hopedale, Mass.) stopped 29 shots, including 16 in the final frame, as the seventh-ranked Statesmen shutout Utica 1-0 this evening in ECAC West ice hockey action at the Geneva Recreation Complex. With the victory, Hobart broke the program’s single-season wins record (16), and move into sole possesion of second place in the conference standings.

The Statesmen moved ahead of the 1978 and 2003 squads on the Hobart single-season wins list.

Longo became the first Hobart goalie to post more than two shutouts in a season, and the first Statesman to record more than two shutouts in a career. He is now the career and season record holder for shutouts.

Hobart (16-5-0, 7-4-0) seized the lead at the 4:47 mark of the second period, when first-year Robert Wahler (Evergreen, Colo.) deflected a shot from senior forward Colby McVey (Chicago, Ill.) past Utica netminder sophomore Adam Dekker (Muskegon, Mich.). Senior forward Will Brame (West Hartford, Conn.) also was credited with an assist on Wahler’s third tally of the season.

In a wide open third period, which featured 16 Pioneers shots and three Statesmen penalties, Utica could not solve Longo. Longo showed his poise between the pipes as he made four crucial saves to kill off a Pioneer five-on-three advantage midway through the period. The Statesmen fought off one final power play to seal their third consecutive victory.

In goal, Dekker turned aside 33 Statesmen offerings.

Hobart held a 34-29 edge in shots, while both teams were unable to convert on the power play. The Statesmen were 0-for-9 with a man advantage, while the Pioneers were 0-for-8.

Hobart returns to action at 4 p.m. on Feb. 11, when the Statesmen conclude their weekend series with Utica (10-7-3, 5-3-2) at The Cooler.