GENEVA, N.Y.- The fifth-ranked Hobart College hockey team was edged by top-ranked Norwich 2-1 in a tightly contested New England College Hockey Conference game at The Cooler this evening. The Statesmen are now 3-1-1 on the season and 2-1-0 in conference play while the Cadets improve to 4-0-0 overall and 3-0-0 in the NEHC.
 
Felix Brassard led the way for the Cadets, recording a pair of goals in the win. Tom Aubrun stopped 32 shots as he notched his fourth victory of the season.
 
Senior Lawson MacDougall scored for the Statesmen. Sophomore Joe Halstrom started in goal and made 25 saves.
 
Neither team found the back of the net in the opening 20 minutes. The Cadets finished with a slight 8-5 edge in shots on goal. Norwich had the game's first scoring chance just over five minutes into the period. Colby Downs fired a one-timer from the slot that Halstrom turned aside with his blocker. Brassard's rebound attempted was steered aside by Halstrom. First-year Brenden Howell had Hobart's first chance of the game but Aubrun made a glove save on the shot from the right faceoff circle. 
 
Hobart appeared to take control of the game in the second period but were unable to fire the puck across the goal line. The Statesmen outshot the Cadets 19-8 in the middle period. MacDougall appeared to give Hobart the lead early in the period, however his shot rang off the right goal post. Junior Mark Benemerito also had a chance stopped by Aubrun.
 
Brassard opened the scoring 8:23 into the second period. He collected a cross-ice pass and one-timed the shot past Halstrom. Christian Thompson and Scott Swanson were credited with assists on Brassard's fourth tally of the season.
 
In the closing minutes of the period, Hobart pushed for an equalizer but could not put the puck past Aubrun.
 
Brassard gave Norwich a 2-0 lead at the 15:38 mark of the third period with his second goal of the game and fifth tally of the season. He pounced on a rebound in the slot and flipped the puck over Halstrom and into the net. Gabriel Chicoine and Ryan Boucher were credited with assists on the goal.
 
MacDougall broke up the shutout bid at the 18:49 mark of the period. He one-timed a cross ice pass into the upper left corner of the cage. Junior Mike Faulkner and senior Zach Sternbach were credited with assists on the goal. It was the first goal Aubrun had allowed all season.
 
Hobart finished the game with a slight 33-27 edge in shots on goal. Neither team found the back of the net on the power play. Norwich was 0-for-4 and Hobart was 0-for-3.
 
The Statesmen will be back at The Cooler tomorrow afternoon, Nov. 16 when it takes on Castleton. Faceoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.