New York, NY -- The NYU ice hockey team continued a winning streak against their hometown rival the Columbia Lions in Wednesday's 11-6 and Friday's 14-7 wins.
Wednesday night's game, played at Columbia's home ice at Riverbank State Park, became quite a trial for Lion's goalie Awn Rafice. With slap shots being fired at him in every direction, he struggled to keep the Bobcats' three productive lines from scoring any goals. But with NYU scoring first at 18:59 of the first period, courtesy of Kirk Shimizuishi and assisted by defenseman Jon Hsia, the Lions soon proved to be no match. From there, the Bobcats were unstoppable.
Clean passes and aggressive hustling by almost everyone on all three lines became the structure for a great offense and solid performances by the defensemen. Both Kon Hsia and forward Sara Smith were everywhere on the ice, providing backup when the puck escaped a zone, and swarming around the net to boost the offense. Columbia's mistakes and foiled stick-handling led to NYU's advantage as the Lions failed to keep the puck within their own zone for long. NYU's 11 goals were scored by eight different players, displaying the teamwork that adheres players together and the drive that allows for a win. Captain Paul Leakas led the team with a hat trick and one assist, sharing the spotlight with first time goal scorers of the season Alex Schneider, Sara Smith, Jeremy Steinhaus, and Sean Mahoney. And a game versus the Lions would be incomplete without the on-ice animosity between NYU and Columbia players, as both teams combined for a total of 44 penalty minutes. But it was a night of strong plays and aggressive moves for the Bobcats, clearing the zone when they had to and trying to make each pass clean and clear. This game seemed to be a preparation for the teams' second match-up two days later.
Game two between NYU and Columbia was ferociously played in three long hours at the Bobcats' home of Chelsea Piers. This 14-7 NYU win, with a loud and rowdy crowd on hand, consisted of intensely compelling and rough hockey playing by both sides.
The Bobcats got off to a rocky start, giving Columbia a quick 2-0 lead. But once again, as on Wednesday night, all three lines stepped up with enough force to overtake the Lions. Forward Prentiss Noyes ignited the NYU power surge with his first goal of the evening at 14:38 of the first period, assisted by right winger Tom Capotosta.
The Bobcats moved on with pure defiance and scored four more consecutive goals before the Lions attempted to come back. However, out-shot again by a large margin of 51-29, the Lions seemed to have no choice but to surrender. Smooth footwork by forwards Kirk Shimizuishi and Tom Capotosta paved pathways through Columbia one player after another, providing an amazing offensive backbone for the Bobcats. A variety of players on all lines contributed to the support of a strong offense and defense. Top goal scorer of the evening Prentiss Noyes tallied a hat trick within the first eight minutes of the game, and ended the night with a total of five goals. Right winger Tom Capotosta managed many times to escape the wrath of charging Columbia players, weaving through a swarm of opponents all night. Capotosta ended up with a hat trick of his own for the evening. NYU's defense consisting of Jon Hsia, Gerry Milligan, and Jeremy Steinhaus formed a wall that the Lions could not break through. Hsia again was all over the ice, keeping the puck in Columbia's zone while keeping tyhe Lions in strong and severe check. Goalie Mike McDonald also provided a little offensive help by assisting a goal by Kiek Shimizuishi in the first period, as well as stopping 44 shots.
A game versus Columbia is rarely boring, as minor friction between players frequently escalates into roughness just short of actual fights on the ice. An outrageous total of 74 combined penalty minutes for both teams resulted. As usual, both NYU and Columbia fans played their part off the ice, loudly displaying their dislike for the other. But Lions' fans were often silenced by the Bobcats' spectacular spree of goals all evening. Columbia had nothing else to do but watch their team fall apart and crumble against an intensive NYU team.
The Bobcats' authoritative defense led by Jon Hsia, forceful offense by Sara Smith, Kirk Shimizuishi, Tom Capotosta, and Prentiss Noyes, and nice goal tending by Mike McDonald all came together to equal an evening of impressive and fired up hockey.
These two consecutive games against the Columbia Lions forced the NYU team to come through and step up when they absolutely had to. Under head coach Stephen Hetherman, this team of mostly newcomers gelled together on the ice to prodce hockey playing the way it ought to be.
Hockey notes: Friday's Game: Junior Chad Urmston scored his first goals of the season with two total... Kirk Shimizuishi had a total of two goals and four assists... Jon Hsia had a goal and an assist... Wednesday's game: Sophomore Rachel Morrison had an assist on Sean Mahoney's goal... NYU outshot Columbia 55-30.