Hobart hockey punches ticket to Frozen Four after 4OT marathon

GENEVA, N.Y. (WROC) — Last weekend, the Hobart hockey team was overcome with joy as they advanced to the Frozen Four. The Statesmen were also relieved that after four overtimes, the game was finally over.

“I was really thankful to be able to go home and kind of rest up my legs,” said Hobart senior defenseman Jared Patterson. “Getting a bit too old to be playing college hockey.”

Hobart outlasted Curry 4-3 in the Division three national quarterfinals Saturday night. The game lasted 135 minutes, 17 seconds which is the second longest contest in division three history.

“That was one of the hardest things I ever had to do hockey wise,” said Patterson. “Guys were talking about being in a runner’s high where you don’t realize what’s going on anymore.”

Patterson said they were given electrolyte pills and Gatorade to keep them from cramping. However, the preventative measure still weren’t enough.

“We had a couple guys who weren’t able to get up off the ice because they were cramping so bad,” said Hobart senior defenseman Matthieu Wuth. “Guys had Theraguns going. Just trying to avoid that but they were definitely rough.”

The statistics from the game are mind-numbing to look at. There were 149 shots on goal with Hobart accounting for 102. The Statesmen won 116 faceoffs.

The Curry goaltender, Shane Soderwall, had 98 saves, which tied the Division three men’s record for the most in one game.

Next up for Hobart is a date in the Frozen Four with number two-ranked Utica on Thursday, March 21. After coming off such an exhausting win, the Statesmen aren’t worried about coming out flat in the semifinals.

“We’re hockey players,” said Patterson. “We play hockey.”

The Statesmen head coach, Mark Taylor, echoed similar thoughts.

“We got to that place last game because we want to get to this next place this next game,” said Taylor. “These guys have done an awesome job all year long. On the ice. Off the ice.”

Hobart won their first national championship in program history last year. Taylor added winning another national title would be self-satisfying after getting everyone’s best shot all season long.

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