The third-ranked Hobart College ice hockey team edged Southern Maine, 2-1, in a New England Hockey Conference contest at The Cooler on Saturday afternoon. With the win, the Statesmen are 4-0-0 to start the season. It is Hobart’s best start since the 2007-08 season.
Four different players scored a goal in the victory for the Statesmen. Mavrick Goyer went the distance in goal for Hobart and made 22 saves. Kyle Penton made 38 saves in goal for the Huskies (0-3-0, 0-2-0).
KEY STATS:
- Hobart finished the game with a 40-23 edge in shots on goal.
- Neither team converted on their power play opportunities. The Statesmen were 0-for-3 and Southern Maine was 0-for-4.
- Southern Maine finished the game with 22 blocked shots.
FIRST PERIOD:
- Hobart opened the scoring at the 14:54 mark of the first period. Following a turnover in the neutral zone, Ignat Belov one-time a shot from the left faceoff circle past Penton for his first goal of the season. Tanner Hartman was credited with an assist on the goal.
- Three minutes later, Southern Maine tied the game on Austin Marini’s first goal of the season. He pounced on a loose puck and ripped a shot past Goyer. Cole Ouellette and Cutis Judd were awarded assists on the goal.
SECOND PERIOD:
- Luke Aquaro scored the game-winning goal at the 7:42 mark of the middle frame. He banged home a rebound for his third goal of the season. Kevin Lassman was credited with an assist on the goal.
- The Huskies had 11 shots in the period but were unable to sneak another shot past Goyer.
THIRD PERIOD:
- Hobart carried the play in the third period, holding possession in the offensive zone for extended periods. While they only managed eight shots on goal, the Statesmen had an additional 13 shots blocked by Southern Maine players.
COACH’S CORNER:
“Some games you’ll take the three points but you don’t want to repeat the same performance,” Head Coach Mark Taylor said. “Tonight was one of those games. We just didn’t have it going the way we should’ve and that happens, hopefully not often. We were able to get it done and I’m happy the guys endured the struggle and emerged with the win.”
UP NEXT:
The Statesmen will be back in action on Friday, Nov. 11, when it welcomes Buffalo State to The Cooler to conclude a five-game homestand. The face-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].