{"id":25442,"date":"2003-01-23T10:34:52","date_gmt":"2003-01-23T16:34:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.uscho.com\/2003\/01\/23\/this-week-in-the-ecac-west-jan-23-2003\/"},"modified":"2010-08-17T19:55:22","modified_gmt":"2010-08-18T00:55:22","slug":"this-week-in-the-ecac-west-jan-23-2003","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp-admin.uscho.com\/2003\/01\/23\/this-week-in-the-ecac-west-jan-23-2003\/","title":{"rendered":"This Week in the ECAC West: Jan. 23, 2003"},"content":{"rendered":"
Hobart a Defensive Power?<\/h4>\n
Traditionally, when you think of Hobart hockey, you don’t think of it in terms of being a defensive powerhouse. Maybe you think of its rink open to the fresh outdoors. Or maybe of a team that has shown some sparks at times, but never really materialized. But a defensive power? Not a chance.<\/p>\n
Well, if statistics are any indication of the quality of a team, you might just have to start to think of Hobart in a different light.<\/p>\n
Look at these statistics, through 17 games this season:<\/p>\n
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Hobart has limited its opponents to two goals or less in 11 games this season, earning a record of 10-0-1 in those contests.<\/li>\n
The Statesmen defense is only allowing 2.61 goals per game on average.<\/li>\n
Hobart’s defense is currently ranked 15th in the nation in goals against average.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
“I think team defense is very important to us,” said Hobart coach Mark Taylor. “Keeping the opportunities our opponents get down is huge. I think we are starting to come together as a team and are finally all on the same page.”<\/p>\n
Last season, Hobart was ranked 50th in team defense, allowing an average of 4.38 goals per game.<\/p>\n
The difference between last year and this year is huge, and it is showing up in Hobart’s record. The Statesmen are 10-6-1 so far this year, and are currently ranked No. 17 in the East Pairwise Rankings<\/a>.<\/p>\n