Box Score Box Score

GENEVA, N.Y.—Five different first-years recorded a point for Hobart, as the Statesmen hockey team defeated visiting Nichols, 4-1 this afternoon at The Cooler. With the non-league victory, Hobart improves to 8-7-0 overall, while the Bison fall to 3-11-1.

Junior goalie Marty Ausserhofer played 59:54 in goal for the Statesmen, and finished with a career-high 33 saves. Ten different Statesmen logged a point in the victory.

With close to five minutes remaining in the first half, Nichols had a solid offensive push in front of the Hobart net. Andrew Ella drilled a shot on goal that bounced off Ausserhofer's pads. Blake Bishop was there to  take another shot for the Bison.It looked as if his shot was headed for the back of the net, however despite being screened, Ausserhofer sprawled out to make the stop.

Junior Mike White was called for tripping 1:33 into the second period, and the Bison were awarded a penalty shot. Andrew Letellier took the shot and was denied by Ausserhofer.

At 5:38 first-year Mike Malady logged his first goal as a Statesman on a blast from the blue line. Classmate Terrence O'Neill earned the assist. With 4:15 left in the middle period, it was Brendan Fitzgerald's turn to tally his first career goal. Junior Ryan Corcoran pushed a pass back to Fitzgerald who was positioned just inside the blue line. He sent a laser into the top shelf to make it 2-0. With 2:06 before the second break, first-year Tommaso Traversa put Hobart up 3-0, capitalizing on a power play.  First-year Peter Ryan and White set up the play. Traversa now shares a team-high for goals with six.

At 7:38 into the final period, a goal by Louie Educate after a pass from Kyle Shapiro prevented the shut out for Nichols. With three minutes left in the game and the Statesmen on the power play, junior Brad Richard sent a pass from the blue line to classmate David Stevens who was right in front of the goal. Stevens pushed a short pass to his left to senior Greg Ciciola who slid the puck past Bison goaltender Jacob Rinn. Ciciola shares the team-high for goals with Traversa with six tallies this season.

Rinn finished with 28 saves in all 60 minutes in goal for Nichols. The Statesmen killed all nine of the Bison's power play opportunities. Hobart finished 2-for-9 on the power play.

The Statesmen will be back in action on Tuesday, Jan. 17 when they host Buffalo State for another non-league game beginning at 7 p.m.