Release and photograph courtesy of Hobart Athletics Communication.

HARTFORD, Conn. - For the second straight year, the Hobart hockey team will skate for a national title. On Saturday, March 23, the Statesmen will take on third-ranked Trinity in Hartford, Connecticut. Faceoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Koeppel Community Sports Center.
 
The Statesmen are 27-2-1 overall, following a 3-1 win over second-ranked Utica in the semifinals.
 
The Bantams are 25-3-1 overall. Trinity beat fourth-ranked Adrian 2-1 on Thursday.
 
On Dec. 9, the Statesmen defeated the Bantams 2-1 in Hartford. Jonah Alexander and Shane Shell scored the goals for the Statesmen. Ned Blanchard scored the lone Trinity goal. Damon Beaver made 33 saves for the Statesmen and Devon Bobak stopped 29 of Hobart's shots in goal for the Bantams. 
 
Fans who cannot make the trip to Hartford can watch the webcast on NCAA.com. The game will also be broadcast on WHWS-FM (105.7) in Geneva.
 
Here is a quick look at the Hobart-Trinity match-up.
 
HOBART
Location: Geneva, N.Y.
Mascot: Statesmen
Overall Record: 27-2-1
Record on the Road: 9-2-1
New England Hockey Conference Record: 16-1-1 (Tournament Champions)
USCHO Poll: 1st
How they reached the NCAA Tournament: Automatic Bid
NCAA tournament record: 11-10 (13th appearance)
Head Coach: Mark Taylor (24th year, 405-176-55)
Goals Scored: 159
Goals Allowed: 30
Point Leaders: Tanner Hartman (45), Ignat Belov (37), Artem Buzoverya (31)
Goal Leaders: Hartman (20), Belov (16), Luke Aquaro (16)
Assist Leaders: Hartman (25), Buzoverya (23) Bauer Morrissey (22)
Goalie: Damon Beaver (0.98 GAA, .960 SV%, 17-1-1, 6 SHO)
 
TRINITY
Location: Hartford, Conn.
Mascot: Bantams
Overall Record: 25-3-1
Record at Home: 17-3-0
New England Small College Athletic Conference Record: 16-1-1 (Tournament Champions)
USCHO Poll: 3rd
How they reached the NCAA Tournament: Automatic Bid
NCAA tournament record: 10-7-0 (8th appearance)
Head Coach: Matthew Greason (12th season, 227-77-21)
Goals Scored: 98
Goals Allowed: 35
Point Leaders: Richard Boysen (22), Devan Tongue (21), Connor Sedlak (19)
Goal Leaders: Boysen (11), Gerard Marretta (10), Christian Hayes (9)
Assist Leaders: Ned Blanchard (15), Tongue (13), Sedlak (13)
Goalie: Davon Bobak (1.19 GAA, .945 SV%, 25-3-1, 7 SHO)
 
SERIES HISTORY
Overall: Hobart, 6-4-3
In Hartford: Trinity, 3-2-2
Streak: Hobart 2
Last Meeting: Dec. 9, 2023, Hobart 2-1 in Hartford