February 12, 2003

GENEVA, N.Y.—The Eastern College Athletic Conference West division recently named Hobart College sophomore Craig Levey (Mississauga, Ontario) and first-year Edward Poirier (Farmington, Conn.) its hockey Player and Rookie of the Week, respectively. This marks the third time Levey has received the award and the first time Poirier has garnered the weekly honor.

Levey netted two goals and an assist as the Statesmen split an ECAC West weekend. In a faceoff with conference foe Elmira, Levey recorded his second game-winning goal of the year with 1:27 left in the game to lead Hobart to a 6-5 victory over the ninth-ranked Soaring Eagles. That win marked just the second time the Statesmen have triumphed over Elmira in school history.

The following night at Utica College, Levey added a power-play goal and an assist in Hobart’s 4-3 loss to the Pioneers. Notching nine goals in seven conference games, he leads all goal-scorers in the ECAC West.

Poirier turned in an outstanding performance in Hobart’s upset of the Soaring Eagles, scoring two goals, including an unassisted score, and assisting on the game-winner. The next evening the rookie forward continued his scoring streak, recording his ninth goal of the year in the Statesmen’s losing effort. His 18 points this season are third both on the team and among all ECAC West rookies.

Sophomore goaltender Adam Lavelle (Chelmsford, Mass.) was named to the honor roll after grabbing 57 saves on the weekend. The victory over Elmira put him in a tie with Gabe Halleus ’92 on the career wins list with 23, while his 1,280 career saves puts him fourth on that all-time list. In 22 games this season, Lavelle has allowed 60 goals for a 2.95 goals against average and a .890 save percentage.

Sporting a 13-8-1 overall record, 3-4 in ECAC West action, the Statesmen currently hold the fourth spot in the conference standings with three games left to play. Pacing the Hobart offense is Levey with 16 goals and 12 assists, while first-year Colby McVey’s (Chicago, Ill.) nine goals and 13 helpers ranks second on the team.

The Statesmen hit the ice again when they host Utica on Feb. 15, at 7 p.m.