Box l Updated stats
ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Nazareth junior Don Olivieri scored with 1:30 remaining in regulation to pull the Golden Flyers within one goal, however, Nazareth was unable to overcome its third period deficit and fell to 15th-ranked Statesmen 2-1 in an ECAC West hockey game on Saturday evening.

With the loss, the Golden Flyers fall to 8-7-3 overall and 4-2-2 in conference games. With the victory, Hobart improves to 12-6 overall and 5-3 in ECAC West contests. Following Saturday's games, Nazareth and the Statesmen are tied for second in the conference with 10 points apiece. Neumann tied Utica 5-5 on Saturday and are in first in the conference with 11 points on a 5-2-1 record. Neumann is 9-5-4 overall.

The teams battled to a scoreless tie through the opening 53:20 before Hobart took advantage of a Golden Flyers' turnover near their own blue line. Mac Olson scored with a shot over goalie Ed Zdolshek's shoulder and under the crossbar. Tommaso Traversa and Nick Bingaman were credited with the assists. The Statesmen made it a two-goal lead 3:21 later when Olson scored an unassisted goal on the power play.

The Golden Flyers answered with 90 seconds left in regulation when Olivieri's shot from the left point found its way through the traffic in front of the Hobart net and past goalie Frank Oplinger. Sophomore Ben Blasko was credited with the assist. Following Olivieri's goal the Statesmen limited Nazareth's scoring chances by keeping the puck in the Golden Flyers' zone, which also limited Nazareth's opportunity to play with an extra attacker.

Before Hobart scored, the Golden Flyers had several opportunities to take the lead. Early in the first period, Blasko hit the crossbar, then junior Tom Seravalli hit the post with about six minutes to play in the second. In the third period, junior Scott Andler had a pair of shots saved in the opening minutes with Nazareth attacking in transition. Classmate Rocky Gruttadauria lifted a shot over the crossbar after receiving a pass from sophomore C.J. Murray on a two-on-one chance. Murray also had a breakaway opportunity but was pulled down from behind. Nazareth received a power play chance instead of a penalty shot.

Zdolshek made several saves in odd-man rushes to keep the score tied at zero through most of the game. He finished with 28 saves. Oplinger earned the victory with 33 saves. The Golden Flyers finished with a 34-30 advantage in total shots.

Each team won 37 faceoffs. Blasko and senior Julius Tamasy each won 12 faceoffs to lead Nazareth.

The Golden Flyers are in action again next weekend when Nazareth hosts Elmira on Friday and Saturday. Both games are pivotal ECAC West contests.