The fifth-ranked Hobart College hockey team will take on Skidmore College in the semifinal round of the New England Hockey Conference Tournament Saturday, Feb. 26. Faceoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at The Cooler.
 
Hobart (19-4-2) opened the NEHC tournament with a 5-2 victory over Southern Maine last Saturday. Zach Tyson scored twice and Artem Buzoverya finished with a game-high three points in the victory. PA Martineau, Jonah Alexander and Austin Mourar also scored in the win. Liam Lascelle played all 60 minutes in goal and made 25 saves as he earned his 10th win of the season.
 
The Statesmen offense has been clicking all season and is averaging five goals per game. This year's team is climbing the program's single-season lists. Their 225 assists are second, 34 behind the 1978-79 team, their 350 points are third, six behind the 1989-90 squad and the 125 goals are sixth.
 
Nationally, Hobart is ranked in the top 10 in scoring offense (3rd, 5.00), assists (4th), points (4th), scoring margin (4th, +2.72) and winning percentage (8th, .800). In addition, Hobart is 17th in power-play percentage (.238) and 19th in scoring defense (2.28).
 
NEHC Rookie of the Year Luke Aquaro leads the team with 30 points on 14 goals and 16 assists. Zach Tyson has a team-best 17 helpers this year. The Statesmen offense has spread the wealth this year. Six players have at least 20 points, four players have 10 goals or more, and 11 players have at least 10 assists. Thirty of the 32 players have recorded a point.
 
Liam Lascelle and Joe Halstrom have split time in net this year with Lascelle playing the majority of minutes since January, winning six of his last nine decisions. He is 10-3-1 overall this season with a .915 save percentage. Lascelle is ranked 25th nationally with a 2.16 goals against average.
 
The Thoroughbreds come into the contest with a 15-9-2 record. Finishing sixth in the conference, they opened tournament play against third-seeded UMass Boston, winning by a score of 5-3. The Thoroughbred offense is led by Kaeden Patrick (11-11-22) and Austin Rook (8-14-22). Goaltender Tate Brandon has started the majority of games for Skidmore this season, compiling a record of 10-9-2 and a 2.19 GAA.
 
Saturday's contest will be the 20th all-time and third this season between Hobart and Skidmore. The Statesmen lead the series 15-3-1, including a 9-1-0 mark in Geneva. Hobart won each of the first two regular season games this year, including a dramatic 5-4 comeback victory at The Cooler earlier this month.
 
Fans who cannot make the trip to Geneva, New York, can follow all the action with HWS All-Access Video and Live Stats. The game will be broadcast on WHWS-FM.