GENEVA, N.Y.-The fourth-ranked Hobart College hockey team cruised to a 4-1 victory over sixth-ranked Oswego in a non-conference contest at The Cooler this evening. With the win, the Statesmen are now 5-1-1 overall and the Lakers fall to 4-2-0 on the season.
 
Senior Mark Benemerito recorded a game-high two points on a goal and an assist for Hobart. Juniors Alec Robitaille and Ryan Lynch and sophomore Jake Gresh also scored in the win. Gresh also had a strong game on the defensive end of the ice, blocking a game-high five shots. Sophomore Joe Halstrom started in goal for the Statesmen and made 25 saves.
 
Travis Broughman scored for Oswego. David Richer played all 60 minutes in goal for the Lakers and made 35 saves.
 
Neither team scored in an evenly played first period. Oswego finished the opening 20 minutes with a 12-10 advantage in shots on goal. The Lakers had the better of the play early, but were unable to solve Halstrom. Just over three minutes into the period, Josh LeBlanc had a point blank opportunity smothered by Halstrom's glove. Off the ensuing faceoff, Josh Zizek had a blast from the point stopped by Halstrom. Sophomore Zach Tyson had Hobart's best scoring chance in the first period. He beat his defender, but his backhanded shot was stopped by Richer.
 
The Statesmen took control of the game in the second period, outshooting the Lakers 14-8. Lynch opened the scoring at the 2:37 mark of the period. Benemerito forced a turnover in his own end and lifted a clearing pass to Lynch at the opposite blue line. Lynch broke into the offensive end and wristed a shot over Richer's blocker for his first goal of the season. Just over two minutes later, Benemerito added a goal of his own to give Hobart a 2-0 lead. Senior Will Harrison won a faceoff in the neutral zone to Benemerito. Benemerito carried the puck into the right faceoff circle and fired a shot into the upper right corner of the cage. It was his first goal of the season.
 
Oswego made it a one goal game with just under a minute remaining in second period. Broughman cleaned up a rebound for his fourth goal of the season. Max Novick and Mitch Emerson were credited with assists on the goal. Novick forced a turnover in the neutral zone and poked the puck to Emerson. At the offensive blue line, Emerson left a drop pass for Novick, who fired a shot from the slot that was turned aside by Halstrom. Broughman pounced on the rebound and fired the puck across the goal line.
 
Just over six minutes into the third period, Gresh gave Hobart a 3-1 lead with his fourth goal of the season. Senior Lawson MacDougall and junior Mike Faulkner were credited with assists on the power-play goal. MacDougall won an offensive zone faceoff back to Gresh at the point. Gresh fired a cross ice pass to his defensive partner Faulkner, who immediately returned the pass to Gresh. Gresh blasted a one-timer past Richer and into the back of the net. Robitaille iced the game with his fourth goal of the season at the 10:20 mark of the third period. Sophomore PA Martineau forced a turnover in the offensive end and slipped a pass to Robitaille. Robitaille wristed a shot from the slot past Richer.
 
Hobart finished the game with a 39-26 edge in shots on goal. The Statesmen were 1-for-3 on the power play and the Lakers were 0-for-3 with the extra attacker.
 
Hobart will be back in action tomorrow evening when they hit the road to take on Potsdam. Faceoff in the North Country is scheduled for 5 p.m.