December 7, 2001

GENEVA, N.Y.–The Hobart College Hockey team needed just six extra seconds to complete its 3-2 come-from-behind victory over Buffalo State at a raucous Geneva Recreation Complex this evening. Sophomore forward Chris Doolan's (Hill School/Lyndell, Pa.) sixth goal of season gave the Statesmen their sixth win of the year to close 2001.

Hobart outplayed the Bengals from the outset and finally broke through at the 13:45 mark of the first period. First-year defensemen Stephen Mitacek's (Canterbury School/Wantagh, N.Y.) shot from the point was initially stopped by Buffalo State junior goaltender Steve Thering (SUNY Morrisville/Fairport, N.Y.), but first-year forward Andy Kasprczak (Groton/Farmington, Conn.) banged home the rebound for his first collegiate goal.

The Bengals knotted the score just 1:50 into the second 20 minutes as first-year defenseman Mark Infantino (St. Catherines Falcons/Buffalo, N.Y.) lifted a high shot through traffic. Buffalo State grabbed a 2-1 advantage on a shorthanded opportunity when senior forward Josh Bluman (Ft. Erie Meteors/Williamsville, N.Y.) scored on a rebound after an odd man rush. Hobart headed into the second intermission trailing by one despite controlling much of the play in the period.

In the third period, first-year goalie Adam Lavelle (Bridgton Academy/Chelmsford, Mass.) shutdown the Bengals, making nine of his 25 saves, including several key scoring opportunities. Thering was equally impressive stopping 13 shots in the final period, but couldn't hold off the Statesmen. With 6:37 gone in the period, sophomore forward R.C. Schmidt (Army/Buxton, Maine) slid a pass across the crease that first-year center Kevin Coakley (Tilton/Brookfield, Mass.) roofed for his team-high seventh goal of the season to tie the game at 2-2. Buffalo State made one final push with less than a minute remaining, but couldn't beat Lavelle.

In overtime, after senior center Dan Bush (Loomis Chafee/Wallingford, Conn.) tied up the puck on the draw, Doolan picked it up, and raced between two Bengal defensemen and beat Thering to his left for the game-winner. With the goal, the crowd erupted as Hobart avenged a 7-6 loss at Buffalo State (7-6-0) on Nov. 20.

Statesmen Head Coach Mark Taylor was pleased to end the first half of the season on such a positive note.

"I think our team's chemistry showed through in the comeback and overtime win," said Taylor.

He also credited Lavelle and his defense for their roles in the victory.

"Once again Adam Lavelle was stellar in net for us," said Taylor. "He made key saves throughout the night, and our defense cut down on their quality scoring opportunities."

Hobart (6-6-0) resumes play after a month long break on Jan. 5, at SUNY Geneseo at 7 p.m. The Statesmen will look to take the season series from the Ice Knights. Hobart defeated Geneseo 7-4 in the first round of the Rochester Hockey Cup on Oct. 26, and the Ice Knights stole a 5-2 victory in Geneva on Nov. 28.