BUFFALO, NY -- The 2002 Buffalo State All-Sport Invitational opened up this evening with Buffalo State and Hobart earning opening day victories.

Hobart (1-1) opened the tourney with a 3-2 victory over Fredonia (1-2). The Blue Devils struck first when Erik Hlavaty (Hamburg) capitalized on a Hobart turnover at 15:51 of the first period. The Statesmen lit the lamp twice in the second period, however, on goals by Justin Macklin (Farmington, CT) and Will Bodine (Whitesboro), and never relinquished their lead. They extended the lead to 3-1, 11:14 into the third period when Chris Thornton (Oyster Bay) notched a power-play goal. Fredonia's Tom Briggs (Fruitport, MI) would make things interesting when he scored with 7:00 remaining, but Hobart's Adam Levelle (Chelmsford, MA) would close the door the rest of the way. Chelmsford made a total of 31 saves, including 16 stops in the third period.

In the nightcap, Buffalo State (1-1-1) came from behind twice to grab a 4-2 victory over Utica (1-2). The Pioneers opened the scoring in the first period when Trent Flory (Morrow, OH) found the back of the net. Buffalo State evened the score just 1:11 into the second stanza when Joe Urbanik (Calumet City, IL) notched his first of the year, but Utica regained the lead just 24 second later on Shane Presley's (Rochester) tally. Buffalo State pulled even again 4:48 into the final frame on Henry Jurek's (E. Amherst) marker. Morgan McElman (Bayside, NB) gave the Bengals their first lead with just 17 seconds remaining and then added an empty-netter six seconds later to seal the win for the Bengals.

Game #1 - Hobart def. Fredonia, 3-2

Game #2 - Buffalo State def. Utica, 4-2

Day #1 Points Standings - 1. Buffalo State (3), Hobart (3), 3. Fredonia (1), Utica (1)

Tomorrow, November 2nd Schedule

Game #3 - 4 p.m. - Utica vs. Fredonia State

Game #4 - 7:30 p.m. - Hobart vs. Buffalo State