The seventh-ranked Hobart College hockey team knocked off 10th-ranked Elmira, 4-2 in front of a packed house in an NCAA first round contest at The Cooler Saturday evening. The Statesmen are now 20-5-2 this season while the Soaring Eagles conclude the season with an 18-7-2 overall record.
Hobart advances to the quarterfinals where it will take on top-ranked Adrian in Michigan next Saturday, March 19.
Artem Buzoverya and Blake Coffey led the way for Hobart. They each had a goal and an assist in the victory. Zach Tyson and Luke Aquaro also scored for the Statesmen. Liam Lascelle started in goal and made 25 saves as he notched his 11th win of the season.
Four different players recorded a point for Elmira. Christian Abrams and Shawn Kennedy scored the goals. Chris Janzen played just over 58 minutes in goal and made 37 saves.
Hobart took control of the game from the opening whistle, dominating the opening portion of the first period. The Statesmen had the first chance of the game 60 seconds into the contest, but Aaron Maguyon’s shot from the slot was turned aside by Janzen. Coffey opened the scoring at the 7:50 mark of the first period. He collected a pass from Brandon Howell, skated through the neutral zone and ripped a wrist shot from the top of the left faceoff circle into the back of the net. It was Coffey’s seventh goal of the season. Six minutes later, Tyson gave Hobart a 2-0 lead with his 10th goal of the season. From a tight angle on the right wing, he snapped a shot over Janzen’s glove hand into the top left corner of the cage. Coffey and Buzoverya were credited with assists on the goal.
Hobart extended its lead to three goals 22 seconds into the second period. Luke Aquaro sped through the neutral zone, split a pair of defenders and slipped a wrist shot through Janzen’s legs. His team-leading 16th goal of the season was assisted by Austin Mourar and Shane Shell. Elmira would not go quietly though. At the seven-minute mark of the middle frame, Abrams scored a shorthanded goal to make it a two-goal game. His third goal of the season was an unassisted tally. Just under two minutes later, Buzoverya snapped a shot from the high slot past Janzen for his eighth goal of the season. Jake Gresh and Liam Lascellewere credited with assists on the goal. Fifteen seconds later, Kennedy potted his 17th goal of the season. His tally was assisted by Adam Eby and Amedeo Mastrangeli.
Neither team found the back of the net in the third period. The Statesmen defense locked down the Soaring Eagles, limiting them to shots outside of the high danger areas. With two minutes left, Jordan Gonzalez had a golden scoring opportunity for Elmira, but Lascelle turned the shot aside with his right toe. Elmira pulled its goalie with two minutes left as it pushed for two goals. The Statesmen defense limited the Soaring Eagles to just two shots on goal with the extra attacker.
Hobart finished the game with a 41-27 edge in shots on goal. Neither team scored on the power play. Elmira was 0-1 with the extra skater and Hobart was 0-for-2 with the man advantage.
