February 9, 2002

GENEVA, N.Y. - The Hobart College hockey team took care of business with a 7-1 drubbing of Neumann College at the Geneva Recreation Complex. The Statesmen got multiple point performances from six players and moved closer to clinching an ECAC West Playoff spot.

Hobart dominated the Knights from the out set, outshooting them 19-2 in the first period. The Statesmen jumped out in front just 1:41 into the game as first-year forward Andy Kasprczak (Groton/Farmington, Conn.) scored on the power play. Hobart doubled the lead 12 minutes later when first-year forward Craig Levey (Mississauga Chargers/Mississauga, Ontario) netted his team-leading fifth power-play goal of the season.

The Statesmen exploded for seven goals in the second period. Levey struck again at the 2:05 mark for his team-leading 10th goal of the season. First-year forward Andy Boschetto (Tilton/Brookfield, Conn.) and senior captain Dan Bush (Loomis Chaffee/Wallingford, Conn.) accounted for Hobart's final four goals with two tallies apiece and the Statesmen led 7-0.

Hobart penalties in the third period balanced the play slightly as Neumann senior forward Mike Pacitti (Valley Forge Minutemen/Glenn Mills, Pa.) broke up the shutout on the power play with three minutes remaining.

Levey finished with two goals and an assist, while first-year forward Jesse Desper (Williston/W. Kennebunk, Maine) recorded three assists. Kasprczak added an assist on the Statesmen's final goal and first-year forward Max Levine (Lawrenceville/New York, N.Y.) finished with two helpers.

All three Hobart goaltenders saw action during the contest. First-year Adam Lavelle (Bridgton Academy/Chelmsford, Mass.) stopped all seven shots he faced in 29:27 for his eighth win of the season. First-year John Czaplinski (Kimball Union Academy/Cheektowaga, N.Y.) was seven-for-seven in saves in his 23:05 between the pipes. In his Statesman debut, first-year Eric Ampuja (Brockton/Brockton, Mass.) stopped four shots in the final 7:28.

Sophomore goalie Matt Saur made 42 saves in 56:37 for the Knights (2-21-0, 0-8-0 ECAC West). In a brief 3:23 appearance to close the second period, sophomore goalie Mike Billingsley (Little Flyers/Ridley Park, Pa.) stopped two shots.

Afterward Hobart Head Coach Mark Taylor said the key to his team's successful outing was sticking to the game plan.

"The guys kept in the game and did a lot of little things that help you win in the playoffs," said Taylor. "We continued to improve our self defensively and we capitalized on our offensive chances."

The Statesmen (8-14-0, 3-4-0 ECAC West) can clinch a playoff spot with a win or a tie against Utica College on Feb. 13, at 7:30 p.m. Hobart defeated the Pioneers, 4-3, in Utica on Nov. 3.