Larchmont, NY -- In another step toward the national tournament, freshman forward Michael Tanella scored his first hat trick of the season as the NYU Ice Hockey team defeated Fordham University 9-2.
Inn the second period, Tanella split the Rams' defense and scored while falling to the ice. He later tallied two consecutive goals to complete his first natural hat trick as a collegiate athlete. While a hat trick is an aspiration of all hockey players, Tanella didn't put too much thought into it.
"All I do is just crash the net, really," said Tanella. "I play within the system and as long as we win, that's all that really matters."
Freshman and sophomore forwards Mike Branden and Dan Perry each scored two goals, while freshman and sophomore defensemen Ryan Hughes and Vinnie Bruce added singles. Freshman goaltender Zach Ciperski stopped 29 out of 31 shots.
The win concludes a series sweep of Fordham as NYU extends their unbeaten streak to 12 games. The victory followed the announcement yesterday by American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) officials that NYU has gathered enough points to be eligible for the ACHA Division II national tournament.
NYU's 49 points in 18 games places them third in the Northeast region, behind only Siena College and Metropolitan Collegiate Hockey Conference (MCHC) local rival State University of New York - Stonybrook. A team must be ranked in the top four of a region to qualify for the tournament.
"It caught me by surprise, considering that we were not getting the attention we deserved," said junior goalie Chad Ehrenkranz. "However, we set high expectations for ourselves so it's a good feeling."
Heading to Fishers, Ind., on March 1 for a national tourney is a first for the team but another highlight to the 1999-00 season. With a record of 16-1-1, the hockey team has displayed sheer dominance in both the ACHA and the MCHC. Head coach Steve Hetherman attributes this to the improved talent overall.
"Our increase in the talent level has given us a chance to compete every night," he said. "This is a nice accomplishment for the kids."
After a slow start to the first period, Perry picked up a turnover in the Fordham defensive zone and fired a wrist shot over Fordham goalie Justin Titi's left shoulder at 16:29 of the period. Fordham then took two consecutive penalties, allowing the Violet power play to go to work. Perry and Branden capitalized on the advantage with quick rebound goals to give the Violets a 3-0 lead.
While Fordham forwards Pat O'Brien and Phil Camporeale scored to slow down NYU's attack, their lead was never challenged as the Violets continued the scoring in the second period. Bruce jumped into the play and snapped a shot short side for his ninth goal of the season at 14:32, and Hughes scored with a point shot with 35 seconds remaining in the period.
Another highlight included Branden scoring his 17th goal of the season shorthanded by going through all five Fordham skaters and beating Titi on the stick side.
"I saw the opportunity and just went for it," he said. "They gave me the option to deke 'em and I just skated right by."