BUFFALO, N.Y.—The top-ranked Hobart hockey team scored twice in the first period and never looked back as it knocked off Buffalo State 3-0 in a non-conference contest this afternoon. With the win, the Statesmen extended their unbeaten streak to an NCAA men's hockey record 39 games.
 
The Statesmen's 39-game unbeaten streak began on November 17, 2023, when they beat Buffalo State 4-0. Hobart has gone 38-0-1 since then, including capturing the 2024 national championship. With today's win, the Statesmen broke the record shared by the unbeaten runs of St. Norbert in 2007-08 and UMass Dartmouth in 1985-86. Hobart's streak is also longer than the longest unbeaten run in Division I. Rensselaer had a 38-game unbeaten streak in 1984-1985.  The Wisconsin-River Falls women's hockey team had a 40-game unbeaten streak earlier this year.
 
Nine different Statesmen recorded a point in today's victory over Buffalo State. Junior Damon Beaver played all 60 minutes in goal and stopped all 21 shots he faced as he earned the shutout.
 
Marcus Cumberworth started in goal for the Bengals. He made 33 saves.
 
FOR THE RECORD

• With today's win, Hobart improved to 14-0-0 overall this season. It matches the best start in program history. The Statesmen also won 14 straight to start the 2022-23 season.
• Buffalo State falls to 10-6-0.

 
STREAKING

• Today's win extended Hobart's winning streak to 28 games. That is the fourth-longest streak in NCAA Division III history.

 
GAME SUMMARY

• The Statesmen finished the game with a 36-21 advantage in shots on goal.
• Hobart was 1-for-3 on the power play and Buffalo State was 0-for-2 with the man advantage.
• The Statesmen dominated the opening 20 minutes, finishing the frame with a 13-6 advantage in shots on goal.
• Hobart opened the scoring at the 10:21 mark of the first period. Sophomore Chris Duclair fired a shot from the right faceoff circle under the crossbar for his ninth goal of the season. The power-play goal was assisted by sophomores Bauer Morrissey and Conor Lally.
• Eighty-five seconds later first-year Easton Ryan gave the Statesmen a 2-0 lead. He picked up a loose puck on the left side of the crease and flipped a shot past Cumberworth for his second goal of the season. Sophomore Brandon Sacchetti and first-year Nick Dimatos were awarded assists on the goal.
• Senior Luke Aquaro added an insurance goal at the 12:54 mark of the second period. He blasted a shot from the right faceoff circle past the Buffalo St. goalie. His seventh goal of the season was assisted by junior Tanner Daniels and senior Shane Shell.
• Both teams had eight shots on goal in the final period.

 
CLIMBING THE LADDER

• Today's shutout was Beaver's third of the season. He is tied for sixth on Hobart's single-season list.
• It was Beaver's 17th career shutout. Hobart's career leader in shutouts is seventh in NCAA Division III history.
• With a goal in today's game, Aquaro now has 61 for his career. He is three behind Phil McCarthy '91 for fourth on Hobart's all-time list. Aquaro's 114 career points are seventh in program history.
• Senior Shane Shell recorded his 52nd career assist. He is 21st on Hobart's career list.

 
UP NEXT
Hobart will conclude its five-game road trip tomorrow, Jan. 18, when it takes on Fredonia. The game is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.