Utica 4, Hobart 2 - Box Score

Utica, N.Y. (1/28/2011) – The nationally-ranked No. 14 Utica College men's hockey team fended off No. 13 Hobart College 4-2 in front of a packed crowd of 3,384 fans at the Utica Memorial Auditorium Friday night. The Pioneers jumped out to an early 2-0 first period lead but the Statesmen would not go down without a fight in this key ECAC Men's West Conference contest. Freshman Steve Charest (Amqui, Quebec/Walpole Express (AJHL)) led the way for the Pioneers with one goal and one assist

Utica has now won nine of its last 11 games and improved to 14-5 overall on the year. More importantly the Pioneers advanced to 3-3 in conference play and they are now 2-0 against Hobart this year. The visitors snapped a four game winning streak and dropped to 12-5-1 overall and 2-3 in conference play. The evening was a part of the Dunkin Donuts Children's Miracle Network night and the Pioneers raffled off game used sticks. All proceeds will benefit the Children's Miracle Network.

The Pioneers came out of the gates firing when Steve Charest (Amqui, Quebec/Walpole Express (AJHL)) put the first goal on the board 11 minutes into the contest. Assisting the game's opening goal was Sean Timkey (Rochester, NY/Capital District (EJHL)) and George Lotito (Staten Island, NY/NH Jr. Monarchs (EJHL)). Junior captain Tim Coffman (Elverson, PA/Laconia (AJHL)) added another goal with just 20 seconds left in the first period to put Utica up 2-0 going into the locker room. Clinton native Jordan Hobaica (Clinton, NY/Northwood School) added an assist on the last goal of the first.

UC was held scoreless in the second, and Hobart narrowed the gap, as Thomas Capalbo scored eight minutes into the second stanza to cut the Pioneers' lead in half.

Utica freshman forward Lou Malvasi (Lincroft, NJ/Walpole Express (AJHL)) broke free from the pack midway through the third period to score what would eventually prove to be the game-winner in the 13th minute to put the Pioneers on top 3-1. Charest and sophomore defender Robert Etts (Smithtown, NY/Hitmen (EJHL)) assisted on the Pioneers' third goal of the game.

The Statesmen answered back immediately just 1:02 later to keep the contest interesting when Frank Salituro netted his fifth goal of the season to dig into the Pioneer lead. Fortunately UC freshman goalie Evan Smith (Penticton, British Columbia/Calgary Royals (AJHL)) and the UC defense was able to fend off the surging Statesmen and freshman Jon Gaffney (Dover, NJ/Springfield Blues (NAHL)) added his team-best tenth goal of the year with under a minute to go to seal the victory.

Smith finished the day with 20 saves in net and he also resisted 4-of-5 Hobart power-plays. Nick Broadwater made 18 saves in his fifth loss of the year.

Both teams come right back to the Aud on Saturday night for the final contest of the three game season series. The puck will drop at 7 p.m. just after the Utica women take on Potsdam at 4 p.m.

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