New York, NY -- The NYU ice hockey team became the first Violet hockey squad to capture a first place finish and a trip to the post-season in school history this past weekend by defeating Columbia University 6-0 in a brawl-marred game at Chelsea Piers Friday evening, and then knocking off Pace University 6-3 one day later.
In Friday's game, the Violets soundly defeated the arch rival Lions to clinch a trip to the playoffs. NYU goaltender David Chang stopped all 44 shots fired at him, recording his first career shutout.
Despite being out-shot by the Lions 44-33, the Violet defense managed to hang tough. Hard-hitting, defensive hockey held the Lions at bay for the evening in a game that saw 112 penalty minutes handed out to the two teams. Four disqualifications were also lobbied, following a brawl at the end of the first period.
Offensively, the Violets were led by forwards Tim Trevathan and Tony Gugglietti. Trevathan has two unassisted goals of his own. Gugglietti also added an assist on a power play goal scored by Steve Graper in the second period.
Friday's brawl forced the Violets to play shorthanded against Pace on Saturday evening. Forwards Ken Poulin and Phil Pucciarelli were given a mandatory one-game suspension for their parts in the fight, forcing them to sit out the Pace game. In addition, Gugglietti and Tom Capotosta sat out with injuries, leaving the Violets without four of their top forwards.
But the Violet defense once again stepped up to hold Pace to only three goals. NYU netminder David Inber made 44 saves in the win.
Violet defenseman Dan Kukkonen notched two goals playing as a forward during the contest, and John Hsia also added a pair of goals to lead the Violets to a weekend sweep. The victory clinched first place for the Violets.
Last year, the team had a record of 6-14-3, tying them for next-to-last in the Hudson Division of the Metropolitan Collegiate Hockey Conference. They missed the playoffs by 11 points last year. Hoiwever, the much improved Violet squad boasts a 15-8 overall mark, the best record compiled by an BYU ice hockey team ever.
The turn-around in this year's team can be attributed to several factors. The Violets have four times the amount of practice time available to them this year compared to last, as they have moved into Chelsea Piers. "Practice is the key factor," said NYU head coach Steven Brown.
The addition of several key players has also played a huge part in the success of the team. Transfers Poulin, Pucciarelli, and Capotosta have helped, as have freshmen Hsia and Ingber.
Brown also believes that some of the success has to do with the team's improved intelligence and discipline. "Discipline has to be number one on and off the ice, in the realm of hockey and academics," Brown said. "It's an intelligent locker room."
The Violets look to continue their success story as they head into their final two games of the season this coming weekend. Their final regular season home game is Friday night, against Stevens Tech. They travel to SUNY-Farmingdale Sunday afternoon. The playoffs kick off March 8 as NYU plays host to SUNY-New Paltz.