New York, NY -- Just one day after having two players named to the Super East League First Team, the men's ice hockey team was crushed by the State University of New York at Stony Brook 6-0 in the league's playoffs in Newburgh, N.Y., on Saturday.
As soon as Saturday's game started, it became obvious that NYU was outmatched. Stony Brook played an aggressive game from the beginning.
"Stony Brook came out angry," said NYU goalie Brian Kenney, a freshman. "You could see they were a step ahead all game."
The loss came as a surprise in light of NYU's previous victories against Stony Brook this season. On two occasions, once in November and once earlier this month, NYU defeated Stony Brook, 6-1 and 5-2, respectively.
Penalties proved to be one of NYU's main problems, as Stony Brook scored the majority of its goals on the power-play or in a four-on-four situation. Meanwhile, the Violets had only two power-play chances in the game, and they were unable to capitalize on either of them.
Ultimately, the game came down to Stony Brook's offense getting the best of NYU's defense and overpowering goaltenders Kenney and Paul Lenti, a freshman.
Despite the defeat, there is a silver lining for the Violets. Forward Matt Weindel, a junior, and Kenney were named Friday to the Super East First team, an honor equivalent to being named the best players in the league at their positions.
"I'm proud of it," Kenney said. "It's a big honor, and I've worked hard all year."
And while the Violets may have been stunned by the upset loss, it doesn't mean the end of their season. In two weeks, the team will play in the American Collegiate Hockey Association National Championship tournament in Maryland.
"Each part of the team is OK," said defenseman Brian Gilmore, a senior. "The offense is good, the defense is good and the goaltending is good. As a team, however, we've got to get [in shape a bit more] and play with more intensity."
Gilmore said he couldn't explain why the team didn't get the job done over the weekend.
"I can't pin it down exactly," Gilmore said. "But some nights you have it, and some nights you don't."