Mike McCarthy slipped home the first goal of the season. (Photo by Kevin Colton)

October 28 , 2006

GENEVA, N.Y.—The sixth-ranked Hobart hockey team opened the 2006-07 season with a 3-1 win over Potsdam State this afternoon at The Cooler. Seniors Jonathan Swift (Andover, Mass.) and Mike McCarthy (Medfield, Mass.) paced the Statesmen with a goal and an assist each.

Hobart dominated the first period, outshooting the Bears (0-4-0) 16-1, but the Statesmen could not solve senior goalie Rob Barnhardt (Fort Erie, Ontario). Barnhardt continued to befuddle Hobart in the second period staring down 14 more shots. He finished with 47 saves.

At the other end of the ice after a very quiet first period, junior Dimitri Papaevagalou (Windham, N.H.) turned away all 12 shots he faced in the second frame. He registered 17 saves in the victory.

The offenses made up for the lack of early spark with a thrilling third period. McCarthy gave Hobart the lead with an unassisted goal at the 6:51 mark.

At 13:30, Potsdam took advantage of a 5-on-3 power play to pull even. Senior Adam Gebara (Ottawa, Ontario) scored the goal on assists from senior Pat Lemay (Orleans, Ontario) and first-year Luke Beck (Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island).

With just 2:52 remaining in the third period, Swift put a shot on Barnhardt. The Statesmen collapsed on the crease with McCarthy getting another shot off, followed by another shot from senior Conor Bradley (West Hartford, Conn.) that lit the lamp. Swift added an empty net score, assisted by senior Mike Manos (N. Andover, Mass.), to secure the victory.

Both teams struggled on the power play. Potsdam was just 1-for-10, while Hobart was 0-for-10. The Statesmen penalty killers were especially sharp for an early season contest, killing off three of the Bears’ four 5-on-3 opportunities.

Hobart is back in action on Nov. 3, when the Statesmen travel to Utica for an ECAC West match up scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.