New York, NY -- The NYU ice hockey team extended their unbeaten streak to five games Saturday night at Chelsea Piers, as they skated to a 7-7 tie with Monmouth University. Freshman forward Mark Branden led the Violets with four goals wile sophomore goaltender Chad Erenkranz made 49 saves.
The Violets opened the scoring 2:22 into the game, as sophomore forward Bryan Friedman banked in a pass from freshman defenseman Ryan Hughes behind Monmouth goaltender Vin Prestinari.
Monmouth answered back in less than one minute with a rebound goal by Nick Esposito. With Monmouth starting to put on pressure, the Violets were able to regain their lead thanks to Branden's first two goals. His first came on the power play off a setup from Hughes and sophomore defenseman Vinnie Bruce. His second was a rush up ice with freshman forward Ben Maniere. Maniere carried the puck into the Monmouth zone and fed Branden, who slapped it past Prestinari.
However, the Violets were not able to hold onto their lead for long as Monmouth scored three unanswered goals, ending the first period with a 4-3 lead. Monmouth continued to control the pace of the game in the second, extending the lead to 6-3. With less than five minutes remaining in the second period, Hughes was able to cut the defecit to two after single-handedly controlling the puck into Monmouth's zone and fooling the goaltender. The goal gave the Violets some hope going into the third period.
Graduate forward Ted Heintz continued the Violets' attempt to control the game with a goal three minutes into the third period off of a pass from junior forward Jesse Belcher-Timme and Friedman. Brandon scored his third and fourth goals of the game, both on the power play, giving NYU their first lead since the first period.
Monmouth was able to take the victory away from NYU with less than five minutes remaining as Bob Colyard tied the game up at seven apiece, sending the game into overtime.
The Violets' overall record now stands at 10-1-1.
The next home game will be on Sunday, Dec. 12 at 7:30 p.m. at Chelsea Piers. The Violets take on the Fordham Rams away on Saturday.