New York, NY -- A late goal and a prevent offense were key Sunday night when the NYU men's hockey team won their home opener against Montclair State University. The Violets escaped the tight match with a 2-1 victory, improving their record to 2-0 for the season.
During the first period, both teams played a slow, methodical hockey match. Despite numerous shots on goal from both sides and a number of penalties on NYU, neither team scored.
The play of goalies Eli Williams for NYU and Justin MacDonald for Montclair was notable during the first period. The netkeepers were in top form, blocking all shots from either side.
"During the first period we did well," Violets coach Lloyd Polanish said. "We had four penalty minutes to kill, and we did that without losing one point, which is good."
The second period brought more of the same until the 5:59 mark, when the first goal of the game as scored by Montclair's James Manganaro. Despite this goal, both Williams and MacDonald continued to shut out a number of attempted shots from players swarming around the net.
The turning point arrived in the third period of the game. Two goals by Alex Kalaf, at 8:12 and 17:17 into the period, shifted the momentum in favor of the Violets. Following the second NYU goal, the Violets' strategy turned from rushing the Montclair net to keeping the puck out of its zone. This strategy led NYU to victory at 2-1.
Toward the end of the final period, co-captain and senior Ryan Hughes suffered an injury to his wrist while trying to block a MOntclair shot on goal.
"I may have almost broke my wrist, but most important of all, we won," Hughes said after the game.
"This was a great start," Polanish said. "We were down by one and we came back to win. It was exciting and it's a credit to the guys' determination."
After the victory, the players were all smiles, shaking hands and giving each other high-fives. Despite his injury, even Hughes seemed pleased.
"Were'a young team, but we really work hard. One day the freshmen shine, the next the seniors do great. We're really together," Hughes said."
The team's next game is at home in Chelsea Piers Sky Rink against Rutgers University on October 12.