New York, NY -- The Violet ice hockey team concluded their Metropolitan Collegiate Hockey Conference (MCHC) season Sunday, losing to the County College of Morris (CCM) 5-1 in the first round of the conference’s playoffs at Mennen Ice Arena in Morristown, N.J.
The team was seeded fifth in the playoffs. Although they no longer have any playoff chances, the Violets still have one game remaining in University Athletic Association (UAA) play.
The game was not as one-sided as the score indicated, as NYU managed to outshoot CCM 35-32, although they were only able to get one past CCM goaltender Todd Carpenter.
“Carpenter played an exceptional game against us, especially during the first period of the game,” Violet coach Stephen Hetherman said. “We expected CCM to be a very good team.”
CCM opened the scoring at 13:42 into the first period as Ryan Pfeiffer scored an even-strength goal that slipped past NYU sophomore goaltender Mike McDonald.
The Violets’ leading scorer, freshman forward Dan Perry, scored late in the first period to tie the game at one. The goal increased his point total for the season to 75 points in 33 games.
Perry’s goal was all NYU would manage, however, as CCM controlled the game from that point on. They scored four unanswered goals despite NYU’s offensive attack.
“[CCM is] fundamentally sound and solid in every position,” Hetherman said. “The guys played very well against them. Our forechecking, backchecking, neutral zone and defensive zone play was exceptional. As a result, we were able to outshoot a heavily favored opponent, but didn’t get any lucky bounces of the puck.”
NYU will take the ice for the last time this season on Saturday, as they go up against UAA opponent Carnegie Mellon. Several players will be suiting up for the last time in their Violet careers this weekend. Captains Paul Leakas and Tom Capotosta, both forwards, as well as forwards Sean Mahoney and Sal Sparacina and defenseman John Hsia will complete their NYU hockey careers against Carnegie Mellon.
“Their presence will surely be missed,” Hetherman said “These players demonstrated 100 percent commitment to academics as well as to athletics.”
Also departing from the team are graduate students Dan McAvoy and Andrew Kramar, both defensemen, and goaltender Jason Nicoll.
“Dan, Andrew and Jason had a huge impact on the team and served as mentors for the undergraduates,” Hetherman said. “All these student athletes will be remembered for their dedication and perseverance. They have increased awareness of the team in the hockey community as well as in the student body.”
These players are not the only ones leaving the team this spring. Senior managers Stephanie Navarro and Leonora Gershman will also graduate this year.
“Their support and work before, during and after each game and practice will be missed,” Hetherman said.
With the departure of so many key players, the Violets will enter next season with many questions to be answered.
“The recruiting class for next year is anticipated to fill in some of the holes, but not all,” Hetherman said. “The team achieved beyond my expectations which means a more difficult schedule for next season.”
The season finale against Carnegie Mellon will take place Saturday at 8 p.m. at Chelsea Piers.