November 4, 2002

GENEVA, N.Y.—The Hobart College ice hockey team garnered its first two victories of the 2002-03 season this past weekend at the Buffalo State Invitational. Beating Fredonia 3-2 and Buffalo State 4-2, the Statesmen garnered the tournament title. Sophomore forward Jesse Desper (Williston/West Kennebunk, Maine) and sophomore goalie Adam Lavelle (Bridgton Academy/Chelmsford, Mass.) were named to the all-tournament team, with Lavelle brining home tournament MVP honors.

The Statesmen played the first game of the tournament, facing off against a 1-1 Fredonia squad. Hobart fell behind early when the Blue Devils scored late in the first period. The Statesmen rebounded in the second period, scoring two unanswered goals to take the lead for good. Junior Justin Macklin (Phillips Exeter Academy/Acton, Mass.) and first-year Will Bodine (Pittsburgh Forge/North Massapequa, N.Y.) netted the second and third goals, respectively for Hobart.

Holding a 2-1 advantage heading into the final period, senior Chris Thornton (Umass-Amherst/Oyster Bay, N.Y.) iced the win for the Statesmen with a power-play goal midway through the third period.

Lavelle was strong in goal for Hobart, grabbing 31 saves in 60 minutes of action. Fredonia goalie Will Hamele (Cleveland Jr A/Dearborn, Mich.) pulled in 18 saves in 59 minutes of play.

The Statesmen returned to ice the next day to take on the Buffalo State Bengals in the final game of the invitational. Riding the momentum from its previous win, Hobart outscored the Bengals 4-2 to take the overall title.

Hobart took a 1-0 lead on a power play with less than a minute left in the first period when sophomore Andy Kasprzak (Groton/Farmington, Conn.) fired a shot past the Buffalo State goalie. The Statesmen took a 2-0 lead in the second period on another power-play goal by first-year Brian Keane (St. Sebastians Prep/Sherborn, Mass.).

Unable to hold its 2-0 edge, Hobart headed into the third period knotted at two. The Statesmen would change that late in the game, scoring two goals in just over thirty seconds. Junior R.C. Schmidt (West Point/Buxton, Maine) netted the game-winner for Hobart and first-year Wesley Scott (Canterbury School/Simi Valley, Calif.) insured the victory for the Statesmen, scoring just 30 seconds later.

Lavelle went the distance for the Statesmen, making 26 saves and earning MVP honors. Bengals goalie Nick Berti (Fort Erie/Orchard Park, N.Y.) grabbed 32 saves in his 60 minutes of action.

The Statesmen hit the ice again on Nov. 8, hosting Neumann for the first ECAC West matchup of the season. Faceoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.