UTICA, N.Y.—Hobart College sophomore Jon Neal scored the game-winning goal 2:39 into overtime to clinch a 3-2 victory for the Statesmen hockey team over host Utica College in an ECAC West game played tonight at The Utica Memorial Auditorium. The Statesmen improve to 15-6-0 overall and 8-3-0 in conference play.
 
This was the second meeting of the season for Hobart and Utica, and the second time the teams went to overtime. The Statesmen topped the Pioneers 5-4 in overtime in The Cooler back on Nov. 15, 2014. Junior Brad Robbins led Hobart with two goals. First-year goaltender Frank Oplinger played all 62:39 in goal and made 32 saves.
 
Pioneers (10-7-4, 3-6-2 ECAC West) skated out to a 1-0 lead, notching a power-play goal with 9:03 left in the first period. Justin Hogan one-timed a pass from Alex Brissette. Louis Educate also earned an assist on the play
 
Robbins tied the game up at 1-1 with 4:39 left in the second period. He capitalized on a Utica turnover at its own blue line. Robbins broke away for a one-on-one with the Utica goalie Dylan Wells. He carried the puck deep into the zone and lifted his shot into the back of net. Wells played all 62:39 and made 28 saves for Utica.
 
Robbins tallied his second goal of the game at 6:15 into the third. His power-play goal came off quick passes from senior Bronson Kovacs and sophomore Carl Belizario. Just over a minute later, the Statesmen were whistled for a penalty, giving the Pioneers their third power-play chance of the game. With two seconds to go in the power play and 10:18 left in the third period, Utica tied the game up at 2-2. At first the goal was called off by one of the referees because it appeared one of the Pioneers had kicked the puck in, but after review the goal was put up on the board. It was credited to Easton Powers and came off assists from Dalton Carter and Kevin Valenti.
 
The Statesmen had a few close calls late in the third period. With just over two minutes left in regulation, junior Ben Gamache had a chance on a rebound bouncing around right in front of the goal, but his attempt was denied by the Pioneer defense.
 
At 2:39 into the overtime period, senior Tommaso Traversa drilled a shot on goal. He followed his shot crashing the goal for the rebound attempt, which ended up bouncing out to Neal. Neal immediately blasted the puck back on goal. His shot hit off the goaltender and slid over the goal line.
 
Utica finished with a 34-31 edge in shots. Hobart went 1-for-2 on the power play and the Pioneers finished 2-for-3.
 
The Statesmen and the Pioneers will meet again for another ECAC West contest in The Aud, tomorrow, Feb. 7 at 7 p.m.