GENEVA, N.Y.- The Norwich Men's Ice Hockey team's 2024-25 season came to a close Sunday afternoon after falling to top-ranked, top-seeded Hobart 5-2 in the last ever New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) Championship Game.
The contest opened with up-and-down action on both sides of the ice. The Statesmen settled in and generated several chances early which were turned aside by Sami Molu (Toronto, On.). Soon after the Cadets had a couple of Grade A scoring chances toward Hobart goalie Damon Beaver, the Statesmen broke through halfway through the first. A defensive zone turnover found the stick of Dominic Schimizzi who buried it from a sharp angle to give Hobart the lead. As the opening frame wound down, Hobart had several other chances, but Molu kept it a one-goal contest, making 14 saves in the period.
Five and a half minutes into the middle of the frame, the Cadets drew even. Bryan O'Mara (Syracuse, N.Y.) sent the puck to Alex Lewis (Moncton, N.B.) as Norwich exited the defensive zone. Lewis found a streaking Owen Sclisizzi (Milton, On.) coming down the right wing boards. Sclisizzi got to the faceoff circle before rifling a wrist shot up and over Beaver, tying the game and netting Lewis his first point of the season.
Norwich briefly pressed, looking to take the lead, but Hobart regained momentum and jumped back ahead. Out of a net-mouth scramble, Shane Shell poked the puck home, breaking the tie. After an exchange of opportunities, including several close calls highlighted by Molu stopping Tanner Daniels on a breakaway, a parade to the penalty box ensued, leaving Hobart with a carryover five-on-three while nursing the lead.
After the initial fouls were killed off, the Cadets went shorthanded again, but this time Daniels sent home a one-timer off a pass from Shell making it a two-goal game. Norwich went to a man advantage of their own and answered. Ben van Waterschoot (Whitby, On.) got the puck to Cooper Bertrand (Caledon, On.) at the right circle before sending a cross-ice pass to Clark Kerner (Kansas City, Kan.) sending through traffic through Beaver for the powerplay goal closing the gap to one. 1:04 later, Ryan Remick would score to regain the two-goal lead for the Statesmen. Hobart added another tally with three and a half left, courtesy of Tamas Toth to clinch the 5-2 win, taking their third consecutive NEHC Championship.
Two Cadets earned All-Tournament Team recognition. Defenseman Devon Thibodeau (Pelham, On.) was honored for his defensive play, while Kerner also earned the honor with a combined six points in three postseason games to round out the senior captain's collegiate career.
In the final NEHC season, Norwich finishes as conference runner ups posting a 15-10-3 overall record as they head into the Little East Conference.
