Hobart defeats Utica 2-1 (OT) in the 2025 NCAA National Championship (Photo Credit: Spencer Tulis)
#1 Hobart College vs #8 Utica University
Thursday (Utica, NY), November 6 – 7 PM | Saturday (Geneva, NY), November 8 – 4 PM EST
Hobart leads all-time series 25-18-4
This weekend on the men’s side, the No. 8 Utica Pioneers look to snap a two-game losing streak and avenge last season’s national championship loss as they take on the top-ranked Hobart Statesmen. The two powerhouses meet in a home-and-home series, with Thursday’s game at the Adirondack Bank Center “The Aud” in Utica and Saturday’s matchup at the Geneva Recreation Complex Skating Rink “The Cooler” in Geneva, New York.
Utica enters the weekend 0–2 after dropping both games to No. 3 Adrian, being outscored 8–4. Special teams were a struggle for the Pioneers, going 0-for-7 on the power play while surrendering two goals on three penalty kills. Despite the tough weekend, junior forward Gabriel Lundberg was a bright spot, scoring twice on just three shots.
The Pioneers are in unfamiliar territory to start the year. The last time they opened a season 0–2 was in 2022–23, when they again got swept by Adrian. They responded by going 25–1 the rest of the season before falling in the NCAA first round. Utica has never started a season 0–4 in it’s long history, so this weekend’s series will determine whether they can turn the tide or make unwelcomed program record.
Meanwhile, Hobart remains the gold standard in Division III hockey. The three-time defending national champions opened their season with a sweep over rival Elmira College, outscoring the Soaring Eagles 9–1 and posting a shutout in Saturday’s contest. It marked the fifth time in the last decade the Statesmen have swept their opening weekend.
Goaltending was once again a strength for Hobart, as Mavrick Goyer and star Damon Beaver combined for 32 saves and allowed just one goal across the two games. Offensively, Hungary native Tamas Toth led the way with a goal and two assists, while forward Kahlil Fontana continued his strong play, scoring twice on the weekend. Fontana was the hero in last year’s national championship game, netting the overtime winner against Utica to secure Hobart’s third straight title. He’ll look to build on that momentum against a familiar opponent, especially after recording a season-high seven shots in that championship win.
Special teams will be a major storyline in this matchup. Hobart’s penalty kill went a perfect 8-for-8 last weekend, while Utica’s power play went silent despite being 4th in the nation last season at 29.4 percent. With that track record, it would be no surprise if the Pioneers find a way to break through this weekend and get a split series.
Both teams are physical, experienced, and loaded with offensive talent. Hobart will look to extend its dominance and continue its push for a four-peat, while Utica aims to avoid a potential 0–4 start and finally flip the script against its postseason rival as of late. Puck drops Thursday at 7 PM in Utica before the series shifts to Geneva on Saturday at 4 PM EST where the Statesmen hold a 54-game winning streak…
