Box Score Box l Updated stats
ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Visiting Hobart scored with 24 seconds remaining in the third period to tie the score 4-4 in a men's ECAC West Hockey game on Friday evening. Nazareth had taken the lead about three minutes earlier on sophomore Chris Murray's second goal of the game. The Statesmen outshot the Golden Flyers 3-1 in the five-minute overtime session.

With the tie, Nazareth stands at 0-1-1 in ECAC West games and 1-1-1 overall. Ninth-ranked Hobart stands at 1-0-2 in conference games and 1-0-2 overall.

The Golden Flyers opened the scoring on Murray's first goal of the game. The four-on-four scoring opportunity was set up after freshman Ben Blasko won the neutral zone faceoff. Blasko was credited with an assist on the score after he sent a pass to Murray. Moments earlier there were coincidental minors.

Nazareth extended its lead less than a minute into the second period with a power play goal. Senior Jordan Ciccarello's shot from the right point rang off the post and into the Statesmen's net. Junior Tom Seravalli and senior Mark Zavorin assisted on Ciccarello's goal.

The Golden Flyers maintained their lead until they were  whistled for multiple penalties. Freshman David Seward was whistled for a game misconduct for a hit to the head, then classmate Geoff Bagnall was whistled for cross checking. Seward's penalty was a five-minute major. Hobart scored 17 seconds into having the five on three advantage. Bronson Kovacs scored after passing the puck with Jon Neal and Brad McBride. Ben Gamache scored the game-tying goal 3:31 later after passing back and forth with Kovacks. The Statesmen were still on their five-minute power play.

With 1:33 to play in the second period, Carl Belizario scored his first goal of the season to temporarily give Hobart the lead. The Statesmen's lead only lasted 22 seconds, however, as the Golden Flyers struck right back. Blasko scored his second goal of the season to tie the game at three goals apiece. Murray and Ciccarello had the assists. Murray found Blasko on the left side of the goal, and Blasko tapped the puck past Hobart's goalie Lino Chimienti.

The third period was scoreless until the just under four minutes remaining in regulation. Murray tallied his second goal of the game with 3:51 to play. Freshman Travis Hill and Blasko received assists on Murray's goal. It was Nazareth's second power play goal of the evening.

The Golden Flyers were able to fight off a Hobart power play in the closing minutes, but the Statesmen scored with their goalie pulled with 23.9 seconds to play in regulation. Mac Olson's screened shot from the right point just trickled just over the goal line to tie the game. Ryan Michel and Brad McBride had the assists.

Nazareth nearly upset Hobart despite playing with two fewer skaters for a substantial part of the game. Following his game misconduct, Seward was unable to return, and sophomore Packy Jones left the game at the end of the second period with an injury.

Hobart finished with a 44-21 advantage in shots on goal, building much of its advantage by outshooting Nazareth 21-4 in the second period when the Golden Flyers had five penalties, including the five minute major. In the other periods, the largest advantage the Statesmen had was a three-shot edge. Sophomore Ed Zdolshek finished the contest with 40 saves for the Golden Flyers. Chimienti had 17 saves for Hobart.

Nazareth is in action again on Saturday, November 9th, when the Golden Flyers travel to Elmira for another ECAC West Conference game.