December 4 , 2004

Mike Manos

GENEVA, N.Y.—Hobart College sophomore defenseman Mike Manos (North Andover, Mass.) scored what proved to be the game winner with 2:10 left in the third period as the Statesmen upended Lebanon Valley College 4-2 in ECAC West ice hockey action this evening. Manos rocketed a slap shot into the right corner of the net to help Hobart raise its unbeaten streak to a record seven games.

The Dutchmen (3-6-0, 1-4-0 ECAC West) got on the board just 1:12 into the contest when sophomore forward Jeff Smith (Fredericktown, New Brunswick) converted a one-on-one chance after blocking a Hobart shot just behind his blue line.

The Statesmen controlled the play for much of the rest of the period, but were unable find the back of the net, going into the first intermission down a goal.

Just 2:36 into the second stanza, sophomore Marc Borden (Glenview, Ill.) broke free from the Dutchmen defensemen and lifted the puck over the left shoulder of Lebanon Valley goalie Sonny Holding (Bowie, Md.) to tie the game.

That would be the only goal Holding would allow that period, making 18 saves, including a great glove save with 1:47 remaining on the clock, as the Statesmen and Dutchmen headed into the third period knotted at one.

Hobart grabbed its first lead of the game less than five minutes into the third with a power-play goal from junior Edward Poirier (Methuen, Mass.). His fifth goal of the year and second power-play score, he knocked in a rebound from a Will Bodine’s (North Massapequa, N.Y.) shot just six seconds into the Statesmen’s sixth power play of the game.

Lebanon Valley made things interesting, getting a goal from Alex Beatrice (Randolph, N.J.) with 6:12 left in the game to tie the game, but it was Manos lifting the Statesmen to victory four minutes later with his third score of the year.

The Dutchmen had one last chance with a power-play opportunity in the closing minutes, but the Statesmen penalty kill allowed just two shots on goal during the two minutes.

Junior Colby McVey (Chicago, Ill.) iced the victory for Hobart (5-1-4, 1-1-2 ECAC West) with an empty net goal with three seconds left.

The Hobart penalty kill was outstanding once again, holding Lebanon Valley scoreless on six power-play opportunities. The Statesmen outshot the Dutchmen 43-18 for the game, including a 19-4 edge in the second period. Hobart goaltender Dimitri Papaevagelou (Windham, N.H.) had 16 saves to remain unbeaten, while Holding made 39 stops. Hobart was 1-7 on power-play opportunities.

The Statesmen return to action on Dec. 10, hosting Wesleyan University at 7 p.m., at the Geneva Recreation Complex.