GENEVA, N.Y. – The Vermont State University Castleton men's hockey team gave the nation's top-ranked program stiff competition Friday night, but a four-goal third period helped Hobart hold off the Spartans, 6-3.
Jon Concannon Award semifinalist Andrew Stefura netted his 16th goal of the season, scoring with a man advantage for the 15th time in his career. Stone Stelzl provided a strike in his return to The Cooler after finding twine in the New England Hockey Conference Tournament quarterfinals last year. Matteo Turrin rounded out the scorers with the fifth goal of his rookie campaign. Assists were credited to Dylan Roebuck, Logan Dapprich, Balint Mesterhazy, Cam Reid, and team leader Bryce Irwin.
Dominic Rodrigue saved 37 shots to keep the Spartans (7-17-0, 4-13-0 NEHC) within reach, denying 18 attempts in the second stanza alone. Aiden Robson led the skaters with three blocked shots as Zack Whittaker and Anthony Persi each logged two stops.
Hobart (21-2-1, 15-1-1 NEHC) knocked on the door early, but Rodrigue helped diffuse a seventh-minute surge and get the puck into VTSU Castleton's offensive end. Stelzl took advantage, blasting home the first goal of the evening to put the visitors in front. Midway through the frame, Ignat Belov leveled the score at 1-1 where it remained through the end of the opening period.
After trading blows to open the ensuing period, Jonah Alexander won a pair of faceoffs for the Statesmen to set up Bauer Morrissey for the go-ahead tally. Hobart benefitted from a five-minute power play later on as Rodrigue was peppered with shots, but the junior netminder put on a clinic with 11 saves in a four-minute span.
The Statesmen scored 32 seconds into the third frame as Austin Mourar found paydirt in the waning moments of the 5-on-4 opportunity. Artem Buzoverya extended the gap to three following a lengthy, one-sided offensive attack from Hobart. Castleton responded in rapid fashion as Turrin put the puck between the pipes to cut the deficit to 4-2. Hobart raised the lead again using an unassisted strike by Logan Gotinsky, but the Spartans punched back with Stefura's power-play tally. Castleton emptied the crease with 2:34 remaining but Shane Shell drove in an empty-net goal to secure a victory for the hosts.
The Spartans wrap up their regular season tomorrow (February 10) with a matchup against No. 5 Elmira. Opening draw is set for 4 p.m. inside the Murray Athletic Center's Ice Arena.
