UTICA, N.Y.—The #3/5 Hobart College hockey team jumped out to a two-goal lead, but Utica College rallied for a 3-2 win an ECAC West game played tonight in the Pioneers' Memorial Auditorium.
 
The Statesmen are now 15-3-3 this season and 7-3-0 in the ECAC West. The Pioneers ended Hobart's unbeaten streak at 12 games and improve their overall record to 15-7-0. Utica is now 10-1-0 in conference play.

The Statesmen got on the scoreboard first 9:24 in on junior Vincent Russo's sixth goal this season. Utica blasted a shot on goal that was saved by junior goaltender Frank Oplinger the rebound bounced to Russo on the far boards. He carried the puck across ice and slid his shot inside the right post.
 
Hobart opened the second period stretching its lead to 2-0. Sophomore Jonas Toupal logged his eighth goal of the year during a 4-on-4. First-year Zach Sternbach and sophomore Tanner Shaw earned the assists on the play.
 
Despite the Statesmen killing off a 5-on-3 situation mid-way through the second, Utica was able to put together two power-play goals to knot the game at 2-2. With 3:18 left in the second, Roman Ammirato placed his shot from the left side into the top right corner after passes from Dalton Carter and Alex Brissette. Jarrod Firtzpatrick evened the score for the Pioneers. Connor Schmidt and Anthony McVeigh were credited with the assists.
 
Midway through the third period, the teams traded power-play attempts, but neither team could take advantage. With 7:50 to go, Utica did take advantage of a Hobart turnover in their own end. The Pioneers collected the stray puck out in front and Shawn Lynch scored what proved to be the game winner. Kevin Valenti and Jarrod Fitzpatrick earned the assists.
 
The Statesmen were awarded a power play with 4:57 left in regulation, but couldn't find the back of the net. Hobart pulled Oplinger twice in the final minutes for the extra skater, but could not capitalize.
 
Utica finished with a slight 34-32 edge in shots. The Pioneers were 2-for-4 on the power play, while Hobart went 0-for-5. Oplinger finished with 31 saves in goal for the Statesmen. Patrik Virtanen made 30 stops for Utica.
 
The Statesmen will be back in action on Friday, Feb. 10, when they host Manhattanville for another ECAC West game at 7 p.m. in The Cooler.