February 24, 2004

GENEVA, N.Y.—Coming off its first victory over RIT in 12 years, the Hobart College hockey team jumped to 14th in the US College Hockey Online poll with 40 votes. The Statesmen were among others receiving votes last week after downing ninth-ranked Manhattanville. This is the first time in the program’s history the Statesmen have been ranked among the top-15 teams in the nation.

Hobart will host the ECAC West Tournament at the Geneva Recreation Complex on March 5-6. Second seed RIT will face off against third-seeded Manhattanville in the first semifinal on March 5, at 3 p.m. The Statesmen will take on No. 4 Utica in the second game of the day at 7:30 p.m. The winners of those contests will advance to the championship game on March 6, at 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices for each game are $5 for adults and $3 for students with proper ID.

Winners of five straight games, Hobart (13-7-5, 7-2-1) captured its first ever ECAC West title and the top-seed in the league playoffs with its 5-4 victory over the 10th-ranked Tigers. The Statesmen special teams have been outstanding during their current win streak, holding their opponents to just two power-play goals in 23 opportunities, while connecting on four power-play chances as well as getting three short-handed goals.

First-year Jonathan Swift (Andover, Mass.) has led the scoring charge with four goals and two assist during the win streak. Junior Craig Levey (Mississauga, Ontario) and sophomore Edward Poirier (Methuen, Mass.) also have tallied six points with three goals and three assists apiece.

Junior goaltender Adam Lavelle (Chelmsford, Mass.) has anchored the defense and sports a .922 save percentage and 2.40 goals against average in the past five contests.

For the year, Levey leads all scorers with 32 points, while sophomore Colby McVey (Chicago, Ill.) has tallied 19 on the season. Lavelle has improved his numbers to an .881 save percentage and a 3.58 goals against average in 21 showings.