Hobart College vs Utica University Men’s Hockey. (Photo by Scott Kinville – CNYHockeyReport.com)
Tonight, a rematch of last year’s national championship game, #1 Hobart (2-0-0) @ #8 Utica Univ. (0-2-0). If you would like to read our preview of this series from our very own Tommy Berry, click here.
Hobart, looking to continue their dominance over the past three seasons, eying a potential four-peat, which we haven’t seen since the legendary Bill Beaney’s Middlebury Panthers did it in 1995-1999 (won five straight). Meanwhile, Utica looks to get in the win column as they’ve never began a season 0-4 in their history as a program, coming off their second-straight Frozen Four appearance.
How it started
Prior to the game, it was interesting to see Hobart start #1 Mavrick Goyer in net over Damon Beaver. Goyer is a very good goalie, don’t think otherwise, but seeing him get the game one start was an interesting move. The Elmira transfer #35 Kyle Curtin got the start in net for Utica.
For the most part, Hobart looked really good in the opening parts of this game and the entire 1st period really, holding Utica to a mere three shots-on-goal. The Statesmen held control and remained in their solid-structured style as they always do, while Utica seemed to pick up where they left off versus Adrian, looking somewhat tentative, failing to get the puck on net for most of the entire period.
Hobart killed an early penalty and would produce many close chances throughout the period. Kyle Curtin played an incredible period in net, essentially keeping the Pioneers in it as it could’ve gotten bad quite quickly.
Hobart took the lead that would hold the rest of the period, it was #3 Nick Dimatos sniping one over Curtin’s right shoulder into the upper corner at . He would make a sprawled save shortly after on an odd-man rush from the Statesmen.
Through about 18 minutes, Hobart held Utica to approximately zero-one shots on net, it was hard to tell with various stats / scoreboard / eye test looks, but to me, I saw zero, one max.
Utica would pick up a late penalty in the period, but would fend off Hobart and more-so, Curtin kept the game tied, making save-after-save from a flurry of good shots.
2nd period barrage
This period was fun… it looked like a completely different Utica squad out of the locker room as I’m sure HC Gary Heenan got his point across to his group after an active opening period behind the bench.
Hobart College vs Utica University Men’s Hockey. (Photo by Scott Kinville – CNYHockeyReport.com)
Early on, we saw some uncharacteristic penalties from Hobart, picking up a pair of minor penalties in quick succession, which we would see later on in this period as well. #96 Chris Duclair & #26 Kahlil Fontana received penalties at (01:03) & (01:20) for tripping & slashing, respectively.
Utica would capitalize quite quickly, only (01:30) into the period. – #21 Eric Vitale scored after there was a cluster in front of the net, Vitale gets credit on the first goal for Utica. Shortly after, #28 John Gutt would fire one in and Utica takes their first lead of the night.
Hobart would come back on the powerplay, tying it was #86 Ignat Belov off the deflection of a slapshot, making it 2-2.
Utica then four minutes later came back with an answer, #11 Chris Carroll gave Utica the lead again.
The back-and-forth action would continue, the Statesmen answered as they always have these past three seasons, scoring was #92 Arvega Hovsepyan, tying the game 3-3.
We would end an electric second period of hockey deadlocked at three.
How it Ended *almost*
There weren’t many shots in the opening five minutes or so of the third, but Hobart’s #24 Conor Lally fired a shot right past Curtin to put them back up 4-3 in this back-and-forth game.
Utica quickly responded two minutes later as they have this game, #21 Eric Vitale again, his second of the night, 4-4.
Vitale would net his hat-trick with just under three minutes left in the game, scoring a snipe to take the lead late once again, Utica led 5-4.
Hobart College vs Utica University Men’s Hockey. (Photo by DIIIHockeyNews.com)
BUT… again, Hobart ties it, shocker.
It’s #26 Chris Duclair firing one in to tie it with a mere 1:53 left in the game. An absolute gong show of a game as we head overtime.
How it Ended *actually*
To keep it brief, a rapid 44 seconds into overtime, #92 Arvega Hovsepyan scored the 1v1 semi-breakaway goal in the 3v3 overtime period. Hobart continues their winning ways, always seeming to find a way to win regarding the circumstances.
The Statesmen move to 3-0-0, Utica falls to 0-3-0. These two meet again on Saturday at “The Cooler” in Geneva, NY.
