February 7, 2003

GENEVA, N.Y.—First-year Edward Poirier (Methuen, Mass.) scored two goals and assisted on the game-winner to lead Hobart College past 11th-ranked Elmira College 6-5 in ECAC West ice hockey action. This win marks just the second time in Hobart history the Statesmen have defeated the Soaring Eagles and the first since 1992.

Hobart (12-7-1, 3-3 ECAC West) grabbed the lead seven minutes into the first period when Poirier netted his second power-play goal of the year. Elmira (13-5-1, 3-1 ECAC West) bounced back scoring three goals, including one on a power play, to take a 3-1 lead at intermission.

Just six minutes into the second stanza Elmira’s Jarrett Konkle scored his 16th goal of the year to put the Soaring Eagles’ up 4-1. Poirier struck again with an unassisted goal with six minutes left to cut the lead to two prior to the final session.

The Statesmen started the third period with a bang receiving a goal from Andy Kasprzak (Farmington, Conn.) just over one minute into the final period. Hobart continued its comeback scoring two more goals to go in front 5-4. Soaring Eagles’ Dean Jackson knotted the game with four minutes left, but sophomore Craig Levey (Mississauga, Ontario) answered with the game-winner just over one minute remaining to give the Statesmen the 6-5 victory.

Sophomore goalie Adam Lavelle (Chelmsford, Mass.) grabbed 29 saves to earn his 23rd career victory, putting him in a tie with Gabe Halleus ’92 for first on the career wins list.

The Statesmen are back in action tomorrow when they travel to Utica College. Faceoff is slated for 7 p.m.