February 7, 2004

GENEVA, N.Y.—The Hobart College hockey team moved its home unbeaten streak to seven games this evening with a 4-2 victory over visiting ECAC West foe Utica College in the Geneva Recreation Complex. The Statesmen close out the important league weekend with a pair of wins after downing Elmira 5-2 last night.

A balanced attack proved to be the story for the second straight game for Hobart (10-7-5, 4-2-1 ECAC West) as they received four goals from four different players. Sophomore Edward Poirier (Methuen, Mass.) got the scoring started for the Statesmen 9:10 into the first period with a spectacular slapshot over the left shoulder of Pioneer goalie Jake Miskovic (Oak Park-River Forest, Ill.). Four minutes later rookie Mike McCarthy (Medfield, Mass.) lit the lamp again for Hobart on an assist from first-year Mike Polsonetti (Lynn, Mass.)

Junior transfer Jon Ames (Baldwinsville, N.Y.) pulled Utica (13-8-1, 2-4-1 ECAC West) to within one 5:28 into the second frame knocking home a centering pass from junior Jimmy Sokol (Webberville, Mich.). Unable to score again in the second stanza, the Pioneers evened the score four minutes into the final period when junior Ryan Dolan (Sodus, N.Y.) found the net after a pass from sophomore Trent Flory (Morrow, Ohio).

The Statesmen recaptured the lead 3:12 later when junior Craig Levey (Mississauga, Ontario) put back a rebound for his team-high 15th goal of the season. Holding just a one goal lead against a strong Pioneer offense playing with an extra attacker, sophomore Will Bodine (North Massapequa, N.Y.) iced the victory with an empty net score with just 16 seconds left.

Hobart and Utica both had 32 shots on goal. The Statesmen went 0-for-4 on the power-play, while the Pioneers were unable to convert any of their three extra man opportunities.

Junior goaltender Adam Lavelle (Chelmsford, Mass.) had another strong outing, stopping 30 shots to get his sixth win of the season. Miskovic had 28 saves, allowing three goals in 58:34 of action.

The Statesmen look to continue their home streak on Feb. 13, hosting seventh-ranked Manhattanville at 7 p.m.