NORTHFIELD, Vt.-The sixth-ranked Hobart College hockey team was edged by second-ranked Norwich 3-0 in a New England College Hockey Conference contest at Kreitzberg Arena this afternoon. The Statesmen are now 12-4-3 overall this season with a 6-4-2 mark in NEHC play.
 
Sophomore Liam Lascelle made 18 saves in just over 58 minutes of action in goal for Hobart.
 
Brett Ouderkirk (2a) finished with a game-high two points for Norwich (16-2-2, 11-1-1). Three different players recorded a goal for the Cadets. Tom Aubrun stopped all 28 shots he faced as he earned his sixth shutout of the season.
 
Ryan Boucher opened the scoring for the Cadets at the 6:20 mark of the first period. Boucher beat Lascelle with a snapshot from the left wing. Felix Brassard and Scott Swanson were credited with assists on the goal. Coby Downs nearly gave the Cadets a 2-0 lead, but his shot was stopped by Lascelle.
 
The teams exchanged chances in the second period, but neither team was able to find the scoresheet. Senior Julien Denicourt had Hobart's best chance at the 14:45 mark of the second period. His shorthanded bid was turned aside by Aubrun.
 
The Cadets put the game out of reach at the 5:25 mark of the third period when Jordan Hall took advantage of a lucky bounce in front of Lascelle. He picked up a bouncing puck in the slot and flipped it into the back of the net. Cronin and Ouderkirk were credited with assists on the goal. Taeron Lewis capped the scoring with his fourth goal of the season at the 14:02 mark of the third period. TJ Dockery and Ouderkirk were credited with assists on the goal.
 
Down the stretch run, Hobart pushed to find the scoresheet but was turned aside by a tremendous defensive effort from Norwich. The Cadets blocked 11 shots in the final six minutes of regulation and 25 total for the game.
 
Hobart finished the game with a 28-21 edge in shots on goal. The Cadets were 1-for-2 on the power play and the Statesmen were 0-for-1 with the man advantage.
 
Hobart will be back in action next weekend, Jan. 31-Feb. 1 when it takes on Skidmore in a home-and-home series. The Statesmen will host the Thoroughbreds at The Cooler on Friday, Jan. 31, before heading to Saratoga Springs, N.Y., on Saturday, Feb. 1. Faceoff for both games is scheduled for 7 p.m.