Following a week off, the Hobart College hockey team held at No. 5 in the USCHO.com poll ahead of a five-game road trip. The Statemen return to the ice this weekend, Dec. 3-4, when they take on Skidmore and Castleton to start a five -game road trip.
 
Hobart enters the week 6-1-1 overall and 3-0-1 in New England Hockey Conference action. The Statesmen will look to build upon a two-game winning streak when they take on the Thoroughbreds on Friday at 7 p.m. Hobart will then take on the Spartans on Saturday at 4 p.m.
 
Entering the week, the Statesmen rank first in the nation in scoring offense (6.12 gpg) and scoring margin (+4.12 gpg). Hobart is second in the nation in assists (93), points (142) and power play percentage (.368). In addition, Hobart is seventh in the nation in winning percentage (.812), 13th in penalty kill percentage (.886) and 14th in scoring defense (2.00).
 
Individually, the Statesmen are led by Zach Tyson's 10 points.  Luke Aquaro and Aaron Maguyon share the team lead with seven goals a piece while Cooper Swift has a team-high nine assists. Joe Halstrom and Liam Lascelle have split time in goal this season. Halstrom is 2-1-1 with a 1.60 GAA and a .925 save percentage. Lascelle is 3-0-0 with a 2.67 GAA and a .886 save percentage.
 
Skidmore is 4-3-1 overall this season with a 1-2-1 mark in NEHC play. The Thoroughbreds are coming off a 1-0 victory over Connecticut College in the championship game of the Skidmore Thanksgiving Invitational. Everett Wardle leads the team with nine points on four goals and five assists. Kaeden Patrick has a team-best five goals. Tate Brandon has played a majority of the minutes in goal. He is 3-3-1 with a 2.30 GAA and a .918 save percentage.
 
Friday's game will be the 18th meeting between Hobart and Skidmore. The Statesmen lead the all-time series 13-3-1, including a 5-1-1 mark in Saratoga Springs, New York.
 
Masks are required for all spectators regardless of vaccination status at the Saratoga Skating Center. Fans who cannot make the trip can follow the action with live stats and video through Skidmore's athletics website.
 
Castleton is 3-6-1 overall with a 0-3-1 mark in conference play. The Spartans will take on Elmira on Friday night. Castleton has won two straight games and is coming off a 3-1 victory over Franklin Pierce in the Terry Moran Invitational Tournament last weekend. Zach Papapetros (2g, 4a) and Glenn Wiswell (1g, 5a) lead the team with six points each. Anton Tarvainen has a team-best five goals. Kyle Alaverdy has played a majority of the minutes in goal for Castleton. He is 2-5-0 with a 2.80 GAA and a .924 save percentage.
 
Saturday's game will be the eighth all-time meeting between Hobart and Castleton. The Statesmen hold a 7-0-0 edge in the series.
 
Masks are required for all spectators regardless of vaccination status indoors at Spartan Arena. Fans who cannot make the trip to Rutland, Vermont, can follow all the action with live stats and video on Castleton's athletic website.