The Hobart College hockey team is ranked sixth in the nation in this week's USCHO.com poll. The Statesmen will return to New England Hockey Conference play this weekend, Nov. 19-20, when they welcome 15th-ranked UMass Boston and Johnson & Wales to The Cooler.
 
The Statesmen are 4-1-1 overall this season with a 1-0-1 mark in conference play. The Statesmen are looking to bounce back from their first loss of the season, a 2-1 setback against Cortland on Saturday afternoon. Hobart enters the week ranked second in the nation in assists (54) and points (83), sixth in scoring margin (+3.00) and scoring offense (4.83 gpg). The Statesmen lead the league in all four categories.
 
Individually, Hobart is led by Cooper Swift who has eight points on eight assists. He is tied for 12th in the nation in assists. Luke Aquaro and Wil Crane share the team lead with four goals each.  Dan Sliney is right behind them with three goals.
 
Liam Lascelle and Joe Halstrom have split time in goal this season. Lascelle is 3-0-0 with a 1.67 goals against average and a .918 save percentage.  Halstrom is 1-1-1 with a 1.83 GAA and a .918 save percentage.
 
The Beacons are 4-1-1 overall and are 3-0-1 in conference play. UMass Boston have won three straight NEHC games. The Beacons are coming off a 4-3 win over then No. 6 Babson on Saturday. UMass Boston is led by Chris Peters' 11 points on three goals and eight assists. Ethan Nitkin has a team-high four goals. Sam Best has played a majority of the minutes in goal. He is 4-0-1 with a 2.73 GAA and a .912 save percentage.
 
Friday's game will be the 14th meeting between UMass Boston and Hobart. The Beacons lead the all-time series 6-5-2. At The Cooler, the series is 2-2-2.
 
The Wildcats are 2-3-0 with a 1-3-0 record in conference play. Johnson and Wales defeated Southern Maine 4-2 last Saturday and will be at Elmira on Friday night. Kodi Legassie (2g, 1a), and Conner Lindsoe (3a) lead the team with three points each. Jaxon Friedman and Jacob Perrin have split time in goal. Friedman is 1-1-0 with a 3.82 GAA and a .885 save percentage. Perrin is 0-2-0 with  4.60 GAA and a .899 save percentage.
 
Saturday's game will be the fifth meeting between Hobart and Johnson and Wales. The Statesmen have won all four previous meeetings.
 
All spectators are asked to monitor their health and stay home if experiencing any COVID symptoms. Spectators are required to wear a properly fitting mask while inside The Cooler.
 
Fans unable to make it to the game, can follow along with Live Stats and HWS All-Acccess.