Adam Lavelle caught up to this first period shot just in the nick of time, one of 21 saves he posted in a 4-2 win over Utica in the ECAC West Semifinals. Hobart will play in its first ECAC West Championship game against RIT at 7:30 p.m., on March 6, at the Geneva Recreation Complex. Photo by k. colton/SportsPics.net

March 5, 2004

GENEVA, N.Y.—Hobart College sophomore Colby McVey (Chicago, Ill.) scored the first and last goals this evening to lead the top-seeded Statesmen to a 4-2 victory over fourth-seed Utica in an ECAC West Hockey Tournament Semifinal this evening. Earning their first-ever regular season league title, Hobart will go for its first ever tournament championship when it meets RIT in the ECAC West Championship tomorrow evening at 7:30 p.m.

Colby McVey

Feeding off the boisterous crowd, Hobart and the Pioneers played much of the first period at a quick pace, but neither team could capitalize on any of its chances. The Statesmen held a 9-6 advantage on shots in the opening 20 minutes.

Coming out of the break, the Statesmen needed just 1:21 to take a 1-0 lead, when McVey knocked home a rebound from a Trevor Gowan (Ballston Lake, N.Y.) shot. Just over two minutes later sophomore Edward Poirier (Methuen, Mass.) found a wide-open Marc Borden (Glenview, Ill.) streaking towards the goal. Borden collected the pass and fired a wristshot past Utica goalie Jake Miskovic (River Forest, Ill.) for the 2-0 lead.

Playing Hobart close all season, the Pioneers made it a one-goal game again at the 13:39 mark of the second frame. Junior Jimmy Sokol (Webberville, Mich.) notched his 16th goal of the year, getting assists from rookie Ryan Webb (White Lake, Mich.) and junior Jon Ames (Baldwinsville, N.Y.).

However, the Statesmen would not let Utica back into the game completely as sophomore Will Brame (West Hartford, Conn.) knocked home his 11th goal of the year and what proved to be the game-winner four minutes later.

The Pioneers started the third period on the power-play and needed just 26 seconds to capitalize and make it a one-goal game again. Ames found the net for the Pioneers as the puck bounced around in front of the Hobart crease.

The Statesmen defense would keep Utica scoreless the rest of the way, however, McVey added a second goal for good measure, deflecting a Craig Levey (Mississauga, Ontario) shot with 16:33 left to play.

Hobart had a slight 24-23 advantage on shots, but could not connect on either of its power-play chances, while the Pioneers notched one extra-man score in five opportunities.

Junior goaltender Adam Lavelle (Chelmsford, Mass.) was outstanding once again, stopping 21 shots, including making a diving save in the second period to keep Utica scoreless. Miskovic grabbed 20 stops for the Pioneers.

The Statesmen and ninth-ranked RIT will face off in the ECAC West Tournament Championship on March 6, at 7:30 p.m., at the Geneva Recreation Complex. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students with valid ID.