2025 Men’s National Championship Recap

The final game… #2 Hobart (28-1-1) @ #4 Utica (24-4-2)…

Three-Peat? Or First Time?

1st period

Early on, it’s fast-paced, physical & chaotic… Just how a National Championship should be.

Hobart had a few great chances coming out of the clusters of play, getting the best of the Pioneers early, Utica goaltender Ryan Piros turned the puck over behind the net off a pass early on, causing some concern if you’re a Pioneer fan.

Utica tried to get in the Statesman zone, but to no avail as they didn’t maintain much puck possession, or quality puck possession

#28 John Gutt of Utica fires one and Beaver makes a near-breakaway save.

Piros loses his glove at the 10:06 mark after some jostling in front of the net, Hobart had their chance, but Utica keeps it scoreless. Statesman have them on their heels once again.

A WILD moment as a Hobart player’s stick flies into crowd at 10:30, a lucky fan gets the souvenir of a lifetime and it appears no one is injured. (Update: I believe the stick was given back).

#22 Johnny Mulera of Utica with a great chance off the one timer, Beaver saves it on his right side (this would be a common occurance tonight). #20 Tio D’Addario, the SUNY Plattsburgh midseason transfer of Utica fires it and another point blank save from Beaver. Utica’s taking control with about seven minutes left in the period. They’ve seemed to get their groove going unlike earlier on when it was survival mode.

Hobart Penalty (Boarding 14:55) – #96 Tamas Toth: A hit in the far corner leads to a boarding call, it’s the right call, although this game has been a pretty clean hockey game relatively speaking. Other than big hits, nothing egregious has occurred.

Hobart kills off the penalty, Beaver had to work a little, but the defense kept the Pioneers from getting many grade-A chances in the offensive zone.

Great, great hockey game so far… we end the 1st period scoreless at 0-0.

2nd Period

Hobart gets going fast, they ring two off the post early on, one came on a semi-breakaway and the other was off a rebounded attempt.

Utica Penalty (Interference 6:17) – #17 Drake Morse: Morse gets called here, fair call, this evens the penalties at one apiece for each team.

Utica kills the penalty, standing strong after a Hobart flurry on the extra man attack, Piros remains solid as he has all night.

Utica Goal – #21 Eric Vitale (9:39): Vitale picks up where he left off Friday night against Curry, where he scored the OT winner. He puts Utica up 1-0 over Hobart, the first goal of the night for either squad.

Shortly after on another rush, Damon Beaver is tended to after a bloody left hand caused from a scrum in front of the net, he would return after getting quickly cleaned up.

We would see a huge chance for Hobart’s #4 Bauer Morrissey from the left side, followed by an opportunity the other way by #28 John Gutt, three minutes remain in the period.

A wide open chance for Hobart to get their first on the board, but #26 Chris Duclair misses net after Utica blows a tire, leaving the slot clear with under a minute left.

Utica hangs on after a late Statesman attack and some mistakes, they lead 1-0 entering the 3rd period.

3rd Period

Utica rushes early, getting some chances, some pushing and shoving ensues to start the period after they surround Piros. This would become a common theme for both sides throughout the period and into overtime.

There’s a huge save from Beaver about three minutes into the period, flying across the crease.

#29 Kahlil Fontana misses rebound from poke check, the back of net was clear daylight if he could get a good shot off.

Piros greets the Hobart attacker with a shove after he was given a snow shower, his teammates finish the job after the whistle.

A slapshot right off the faceoff from Hobart’s #8 Tanner Daniels is saved by the right pad of Piros.

Hobart Goal – #17 Easton Ryan (8:35): Ryan scores off the second chance rebound opportunity, cashes in to tie the game 1-1 as Hobart’s done all season long when behind either entering the 3rd period, or in thr 3rd period down.

Utica Timeout: With 5:02 left in the game, Coach Gary Heenan calls timeout.

Shortly after there’s a huge Utica hit causing a turnover and a slapshot rings the outside post, we stay tied 1-1.

There’s a huge scuffle in front of the Utica net, the puck somehow doesn’t cross the line, Piros keeps the game alive, a hand pass stops the play.

We head to overtime 1-1, every game in this Frozen Four will now be decided by the score of 2-1, two coming in overtime.

1st Overtime

We would have lots of back-and-forth action in overtime, the main highlight would be a breakaway chance for Utica which hits off the post past Beaver, staying out of the net, then a deep pass down the ice by Hobart, leading to a breakaway of their own, that’s saved by Piros and we once again remain 1-1.

There would be highlight save after highlight save by both Beaver & Piros, those can be seen on the Hobart & Utica social medias, plus the NCAA social media. It was a thrilling display from the goaltenders. Beaver ended with 39 saves and Piros with 44.

Hobart Goal – #29 Kahlil Fontana (18:22)

The winning goal from Hobart (Video by John Rice III – DIIIHockeyNews.com)

Here’s the winning moment after

Hobart wins 2-1 in overtime vs Utica to win their third straight National Championship. (Video – DIIIHockeyNews.com)

All Tournament Team:

• D – Hobart – #22 – Calum Chau
• D – Utica – #2 – Brian Scoville
• F – Utica – #21 – Eric Vitale
• F – Hobart – #17 – Easton Ryan
• GK – Utica – #32 – Ryan Piros
• GK – Hobart – #43 – Damon Beaver
• MOP (Most Outstanding Player) – F – Hobart – #29 – Kahlil Fontana

Here’s the linked video to the post-game press conference for both teams: