Connor Shibley made 15 saves, and Tamas Toth and Conor Lally scored as second-ranked Hobart beat Elmira 2-0 Friday in its men's hockey season opener at The Cooler in Geneva.
The Statesmen extended their home winning streak to 70 games, which Hobart described as a collegiate hockey record. They have won five consecutive home openers and nine of their last 10.
Toth scores early, Lally adds late insurance
Toth put Hobart ahead just over three minutes into the game, scoring on a shot from the bottom of the right faceoff circle. Christian Kocsis and Josh Doolan assisted.
The one-goal lead held until 16:40 of the third period, when Lally took a pass from Adam Mendelson and scored on a wrist shot. Easton Ryan also had an assist.
Shibley, a junior, earned his second career shutout. Elmira goalie Kirill Madiev made 37 saves as Hobart finished with a 39-15 advantage in shots.
Both teams were 0-for-4 on the power play. The Statesmen won 33 of 60 faceoffs.
Shibley protects the one-goal lead
Hobart first-year Frantisek Albrecht nearly added a goal just past the 11-minute mark of the first period, sending a high-slot shot just over the crossbar.
Elmira threatened early in the second, when Shibley made a pad save on Brook MacDonald's shot from the low slot and then stopped Lucas Stevenson's rebound chance.
Chris Battaini hit the crossbar for Hobart 21 seconds into the third period. Shibley made another key stop shortly before Lally's goal, extending his leg to deny Jack Treacy's one-timer from directly in front of the net.
Coach Mark Taylor said the performance had room for improvement but offered positives, beginning with Shibley's shutout.
Hobart and Elmira complete the home-and-home series Saturday, Oct. 31, at the Murray Athletic Center. Faceoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.
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