New York, NY -- In a rematch of last year's playoffs, the NYU ice hockey team will host the County College of Morris (CCM) Titans Saturday night at Chelsea Piers County College defeated the Violets in the first round of the Metropolitan Collegiate Hockey Conference (MCHC) tournament last year. Although the team lost to Central Connecticut State University 5-3 last weekend, NYU heads into the game with an undefeated record against all conference teams and sits atop the Garden Division.
Meanwhile, County College has gone 1-11 this season, its only win coming against Columbia University on Sunday.
"CCM lost some good players but that doesn't take away from their strengths," said NYU head coach Steve Hetherman. "We need to work hard and concentrate for the whole 60 minutes."
"Last year we didn't have the best understanding of CCM's abilities," said sophomore forward Dan Perry. "This year we got a lot better so it's going to be an interesting game."
While the Violet's identity has been redefined this year with new players, Perry, sophomore forward Joe Leonard, and junior forwards Jesse Belcher-Timme and Jeremy Steinhaus remain from last year's roster.
"There is a feeling of settling a score but I don't think it's a big driving force," said Belcher-Timme. "I think the most important thing is to finish the season strong."
The game starts at 8:30 p.m. The Violets will then head to Lake Grove, N.Y. Sumday night to play Suffolk Community College.