Box Score GENEVA, N.Y. – Clutch scoring and strong goaltending, helped the Hobart College hockey team end a five-game losing streak, tying Manhattanville, 2-2. Senior goalie Chris Connolly (Pingree School/Melrose, Mass.) made 34 saves in his first start since suffering a knee injury on Jan. 20.

The bigger Valiants played a physical first period, but Hobart's defense didn't allow many scoring opportunities. In the second period, Manhattanville came out aggressive, taking five shots before the Statesmen got one off. The momentum shifted at the 10:11 mark as senior forward Jerry Toomey (Pingree School/Woburn, Mass.) wrapped his own rebound around Valiant goalie Jon Peczka for his 12th goal of the season, to give Hobart a 1-0 lead. The goal sparked the Statesmen as they carried the play until the final minute of the period. With 35 seconds remaining, Chris Seifert fired a wrist shot over Connolly's right shoulder and the teams headed into their locker rooms tied at one.

Manhattanville's Ray Williams gave the Valiants a 2-1 advantage at 9:17 of the third period, ripping the puck past a screened Connolly. A minute later Manhattanville's Aaron Boston was called for obstruction interference, giving Hobart its fifth power play of the game. First-year defenseman Trevor Gowan (Shenendehowa/Ballston Lake, N.Y.) knotted the score at two at the 12:14 mark, beating an out of position Peczka with his third power-play goal of the year, and fourth overall. With less than seven minutes remaining, Connolly stuffed Valiant Mathew Naylor's attempt at a wrap-around and Manhattanville's last great scoring opportunity. In overtime, the Statesmen outshot the Valiants 3-2, but neither team could net the game-winner.

The Statesmen were 1-for-6 on the power play, while Manhattanville was 0-for-3. Peczka was solid goal for the Valiants, making 33 stops.

Hobart (6-14-4) will face No. 1 RIT March 2, at 7:30 p.m. in the ECAC West Semifinals.

–HWS SPORTS–