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Pine Valley, NY -- The Elmira College men's ice hockey team held a one-goal advantage for much of the third period, but two goals within a two minute span, including the game-winner in overtime, gave visiting Hobart College the 3-2 win. Ryan deMelo '15 made 50 saves in the loss as he was peppered with shots all night long.

Tonight's loss provided some clarity in the ECAC West standings as Elmira clinched the number two seed in the ECAC West tournament. EC needed to win tonight's ECAC West matchup to keep pace with Utica College at the top of the standings, but the loss coupled with a Utica victory over Manhattanville College finalized the top two seeds.

Hobart would strike first just 5:46 into the first period after Brad McBride sent a fluttering puck towards the net. The puck drifted over deMelo's shoulder and hit the back of the net giving the Statesmen the early 1-0 lead.

The Soaring Eagles drew their first penalty of the game at the 7:47 mark of the first period and it did not take long for the number five power play unit to capitalize on their first attempt of the night. Rob Simpson '16 controlled the face-off and immediately passed it off to Michael Collins '16. Collins fed the puck down to Jesper Strale '14 who sent a bullet across the front of the net to Alexander Taulien '17. Taulien fired the one-timer into the open net to knot the game up at one.

Elmira would have two additional power plays in the first period, but despite a flurry of quality shots put on net, the game remained tied at one. A key sequence occurred with about 6:30 left in the opening period. It looked as though the Soaring Eagles would push across yet another power play goal, but Hobart goaltender Lino Chimienti made three acrobatic saves to prevent the EC score. There were a total of 37 shots put on goal in the first period, but the score was tied 1-1 as the teams went into the first intermission.

Hobart started the second frame on a power play, but the Soaring Eagles were aggressive in their pursuit of the puck, limiting the Statesmen's chances on net. Most of the second period would go by with no additional goals put up on the board, but it was the EC special teams unit who came up big again to take the 2-1 advantage. This time it was the penalty kill unit getting a shorthanded goal.

After Greg Whittle '16 dispossessed a Hobart skater in the neutral zone, he backhanded a pass to a streaking Collins near the blue line. Collins carried the puck towards the net, made a couple dekes to make Chimienti commit, and then fired the wrister into the upper-left corner of the goal. The shorthanded goal was Collins' third of his career and gave EC the 2-1 lead heading into the third period.

The Purple and Gold played a conservative third period, only getting five shots on frame, as they protected their one goal lead. Hobart, however, would continue to press to score the equalizer but the Soaring Eagle defense would keep them at bay, at least for over 19 minutes of the final period. Hobart pulled their goalie with 1:17 to play and capitalized with their extra attacker on the ice just about 30 seconds later as Ben Gamache punched home the game-tying goal.

The final 45 seconds ticked off the clock as the game was tied at the end of regulation, but a slashing penalty on Jarryd ten Vaanholt '16 that was called with about five seconds remaining would give the Statesmen a man-up advantage to start the overtime period.

The power play proved to be the edge Hobart needed as the Statesmen were able to score the game-winning goal just 56 seconds into overtime. Terrence O'Neill would receive a nice cross-ice pass from Bo Webster and fire his shot over a lunging deMelo, giving Hobart the 3-2 overtime victory.

The Soaring Eagles have a short turnaround as they are back in action tomorrow, February 22nd to wrap-up the regular season. EC will take on Hobart College at 7:00 p.m. in the Murray Athletic Center. Tomorrow will also be Class of 2014 recognition day as the four graduating members of the men's ice hockey team will be recognized post-game.