New York, NY -- In a physical game at Chelsea Piers on Saturday, the men's ice hockey team extended their unbeaten record at home with a 12-2 voctory over Fordham University.
Junior forward Prentiss Noyes, freshman defenseman Ryan Hughes, and freshman forward Ben Maniere spearheaded the NYU attack, scoring two goals apiece, as the Violets improved to 4-0 at home and 8-1 overall.
NYU was able to produce 42 shots on net, while sophomore goaltender Chad Ehrenkranz faced only 29, many of which were from all the way out at the blur line. "Many of Fordham's shots were from 60 feet away," said head coach Stephen Hetherman. "The forwards were back checking furiously, allowing our defensemen to challenge Fordham's forwards at the blue line."
The Violets were able to take control early on in the game, as sophomore defenseman Vinnie Bruce opened the scoring 2:09 into the first period. Set up by freshman defenseman Stephen Burns, Bruce used the Rams' defense as a screen and drilled a slapshot that suprised Fordham goaltender Justin Titi. Twelve seconds later, sophomore forward Dan Perry made it 2-0, banking in a pass from sophomore forward Joe Leonard and Noyes.
The Hughes, who tallied five points on the night, accepted a pass from freshman forward Bryan Schleppy in the Violets' zone and made a rink-length dash for his first goal, working his way through the Rams' defense and sliding the puck past Titi.
NYU extended their lead to four, as Noyes scored his first goal of the game, converting a pass from Hughes and freshman defenseman Josh Fisher. He added his second five minutes later, off a pass from Hughes to give the Violets a 5-0 lead that they would carry into the second period.
"The first period was the best period of hockey and a true indicator of what this team is capable of doing," Hetherman said. "The play was quick, the passes crisp, and positioning was exceptional. It really frustrated Fordham.
Hughes scored his second of the game within the first 90 seconds of the second period, off a setup by freshman forward Mark Branden and sophomore forward Todd Portadin. Then with Fordham's Jack Dearborn in the penalty box for elbowing, Branden fed Maniere for NYU's first and only power play goal of the game.
Hughes' presence at the blue line, as well as senior co-captain Kirk Shimizuishi, was an important factor in the victory.
"I believe Ryan Hughes and Kirk Shimizuishi played their best game of the season," Hetherman said. "Ryan is a tough physical presence on the ice who can put the puck in the net and Kirk is playing smart, smart hockey. He identified and broke the neutral zone trap used by Fordham in the first 10 seconds of the game. His play left Fordham reeling for defensive answers."
Fordham ended Ehrenkranz's shutout bid withan even strength goal halfway through the second period. In the third, they continued to put on the pressure as they scored their second goal three minutes in. But their comeback attempt was quickly shut down as Branden rushed up the ice with Maniere to give the Violets their eighth goal of the game.
NYU continued to own the third, with goals from Portadin, Maniere and Schleppy.
The Rams were given an opportunity to respond with a power play after Fisher was whistled for interference. But the Violets successfully killed the penalty and freshman forward Bryan Friedman closed out the scoring by notching the only shorthanded goal of the game.
"Offensively the team played united," Hetherman said. "Adhering to the systems generated scoring chance after scoring chance. It is really encouraging to see everyone score indicating a well balanced offense."
The Violets will travel to Poughkeepsie on Wednesday to take on SUNY-New Paltz. They will then return home to play SUNY-Albany on Saturday. Game time is 7:30pm.