December 2 , 2005

Conor Bradley

GENEVA, N.Y.—Hobart College senior forward Ed Poirier (Methuen, Mass.) dished out a career-high four assists as the Statesmen overpowered Neumann 7-1 this evening at the Geneva Recreation Complex in ECAC West hockey action.

Piorier's four helpers tied the Hobart single game assist record. Greg Reynholds '01 set the original mark at SUNY Brockport on Oct. 27, 2000, while Andy Boschetto '03 earned a share of the record against Neumann on Nov. 8, 2002. Lee Carrier '06 also turned in a four assist performance at Elmira on Nov. 15, 2003.

Hobart (7-2-0, 2-2-0 ECAC West) exploded out of the gates, scoring a pair of power-play goals in the opening 10 minutes and 3 seconds. Sophomore forward Brian Cibelli (Liverpool, N.Y.) one-timed his first goal of the season from the top of the left circle at the 2:47 mark to stake the Statesmen to a one-goal advantage. Senior Colby McVey (Chicago, Ill.) and Poirier recorded assists on the tally. Senior defensemen Greg Gallagher (Framingham, Mass.) knocked home the decisive goal off Poirier’s rebound to take a 2-0 lead into the first intermission.

The visitors cut the deficit to one as first-year Mike Hedden (St. Catherine’s, Ontario) stuffed home his fourth tally of the season at the 5:26 mark of the second period. Hobart quickly regained the momentum, scoring three goals in the next 10 minutes. McVey started the run with his eighth goal of the season at the 9:02 mark. Junior Mike McCarthy (Medfield, Mass.) and Cibelli registered goals at 10:15 and 15:20 to chase starting netminder Mike Collichio (Rochester, N.Y.). Collichio made 22 saves in 40 minutes of action.

In the third period, senior forward Matt Garmen (Wexford, Pa.) and sophomore forward Shawn Houde (Manchester, N.H.) netted insurance goals to put the finishing touches on the Statesmen’s sixth consecutive victory.

Hobart first-year goaltender Keith Longo (Hopedale, Mass.) made 31 stops to record his fifth victory of the season, while Brett Leonhardt (Waterloo, Ontario) turned aside 13 Hobart offerings in relief.

The Statesmen continued to excel on the penalty kill, stopping all 12 disadvantages.

Hobart returns to action at 4 p.m. on Dec. 3, when the Statesmen host conference foe Lebanon Valley. Neumann remains on the road as the Knights square off against Elmira on Dec. 3.