The sixth-ranked Hobart College hockey team is scheduled to take on Castleton and Skidmore this weekend, Feb.4-5, for a pair of New England Hockey Conference contests. Friday's faceoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. and Saturday's game is slated for a 4 p.m. start.
 
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 who cannot make the trip to Geneva can follow all the action with Live Stats and HWS All-Access video.
 
With just two weekends remaining in the regular season, the race for the NEHC regular season title is heating up. The top six teams are separated by four points. The Statesmen lead the way with 28 points. They are followed by UMass Boston (27), Babson (26), Skidmore (25), Elmira (24) and Norwich (24).
 
Hobart enters the week ranked sixth in the nation, sporting a 14-4-2 overall record with a 9-2-2 mark in NEHC play. The Statesmen are ranked in the top 10 in the nation in assists (4th, 166), points (4th, 259), scoring offense (6th, 4.65gpg), scoring margin (6th, +2.45 gpg) and winning percentage (10th, .750). Hobart is 16th in scoring defense (2.20) and power-play percentage (.253).
 
Individually, the Statesmen are led by Luke Aquaro, who has 20 points on 10 goals and 10 assists. Aaron Maguyon has a team-best 14 goals. In total, Hobart has 13 players who have recorded 10 or more points this season. Liam Lascelle and Joe Halstrom have split time in goal. Lascelle is 7-3-1 with a 2.10 goals against average and a .917 save percentage. Halstrom is 6-1-1 with a 2.40 GAA and a .896 save percentage.
 
Castleton brings a 4-16-1 overall record to Geneva. The Spartans are 0-13-1 in the NEHC. Zach Papapetros and Glenn Wiswell share the team lead with 12 points each. Papapetros has five goals and seven assists and Wiswell has four goals and eight assists. Brandon Picard leads the way with six goals. Kyle Alaverdy has played a majority of the minutes in goal. He is 2-10-0 with a 3.62 GAA and a .908 save percentage.
 
Friday's game will be the ninth meeting all-time between Hobart and Castleton. The Statesmen are 8-0-0, including a 3-0-0 mark at The Cooler. Hobart beat the Spartans 6-0 in Rutland, Vermont in December.
 
The Thoroughbreds are 13-7-1 overall with an 8-5-1 mark in conference play. Skidmore will be at Elmira on Friday night. Everett Wardle leads the team with 20 points on eight goals and 12 assists. Kaeden Patrick has a team--best 11 goals. The Thoroughbreds have seven players with at least 10 points this season. Tate Brandon has played a majority of the minutes in goal. He is 8-7-1 with a 2.12 GAA and a .925 save percentage.
 
Saturday's game will be the 19th meeting between Hobart and Skidmore. The Statesmen lead the all-time series 14-3-1, including an 8-1-0 mark at The Cooler. Hobart won 4-3 in overtime back in January.