Adam Lavelle '05

February 6, 2002

GENEVA, N.Y.-The second-ranked RIT hockey team spoiled Hobart College's return to the Geneva Recreation Complex with a 4-0 victory. The Statesmen killed all four Tiger man-advantages on the night, shutting down the nation's top power-play unit, but three even strength goals and an empty-netter stood up as RIT held on for the win.

RIT got on the board at the 6:48 mark of the first period as senior winger Errol McDonald redirected a high shot past Hobart first-year goalie Adam Lavelle (Bridgton Academy/Chelmsford, Mass.) for a 1-0 lead. Just over 10 minutes later the Tigers broke through again as junior forward David Bagley (Rochester Jr. Americans/Rochester, N.Y.) set up first-year winger Michael Tucchiarone (Stouffville Spirit/Richmond Hill, Ontario) to double the lead. The Statesmen generated several strong scoring opportunities in the period, but couldn't solve RIT junior goalie Tyler Euverman (Prince George/Surrey, British Columbia).

In the second period, the Tigers wasted no time as senior defenseman Jerry Galway (Aurora Tigers/Mississauga, Ontario) blasted a shot from the point just under Lavelle's glove for a 3-0 lead at the 1:09 mark. Hobart's defense tightened after the goal to neutralize the RIT attack, as well as kill off the Tiger's final two power plays.

The Statesmen dominated the first five minutes of the final period, outshooting RIT 5-1 over the span, but again were stymied by Euverman. The teams traded strong scoring chances during the middle of the period, but couldn't find the net. With 2:10 remaining Hobart Head Coach Mark Taylor pulled Lavelle for an extra skater and for the next 1:10 the Statesmen pinned the Tigers in their own zone. RIT finally broke out and junior winger Mike Bournazakis (Thornhill Rattlers/Toronto, Ontario) sealed the win with an empty net goal with 51 seconds remaining.

Euverman finished with 28 saves for the shutout, while Lavelle finished with 38 for Hobart. The Tigers (19-2-0, 7-1-0 ECAC West) entered the game with a 44.6 percent (41-92) power play conversion rate.

Taylor was not disappointed with the Statesmen's effort.

"The guys came to play and that's the biggest thing for me," said Taylor. "They played all the way through, they played with a lot of pride and RIT's a good hockey team."

Hobart will look to bounce back on Feb. 9, when Neumann College comes to Geneva for a 4 p.m. face-off. The Statesmen (7-14-0, 2-4-0) defeated the Knights, 6-1, on the road on Jan. 25.