NEWARK, NJ -- Fairfield University, arriving more than 2 hours late, took advantage of the situation to overcome an early deficit and beat NJIT 5 - 1 in the first game back on the ice after the Winter Break.  With their depth, the 11th ranked Stags showed little effect of the eliminated intermissions, which normally provide 20 minutes of rest in-between the 1st and 2nd periods.

The Highlanders were not as fortunate.  Several new players and even a few of the returning players who log a lot of ice time were clearly fatigued, as illustrated by the fact that after NJIT broke a scoreless tie, on a power play tip-in by James Wintjen - made possible by the great effort of Justin Gelesky and Desi Fioravanti, Fairfield slowly took over the game.

Despite an outstanding effort by goaltender Joe Cestaro (63 shots, 59 saves, & 1 empty Net goal) the Stags tied the game in the middle of the 2nd period and took the lead a few minutes later.  After the intermission, the Highlanders seemed to regain some of their energy and seemed to have the
Stags on their heels to start the period.

Once again fatigue set in and Fairfield was able to extend their lead to 4 -1 until the last minute when they added an empty net goal for their 5th goal.

Despite the outcome, the Highlanders should be proud of their efforts. Fairfield is an elite program and the home team gave them all they could handle.  The conditioning and lessons gained from this game should help them prepare for the battle of the MCHC New Jersey Teams on Monday night when CCM
comes in to the Prudential Center for a make-up of the game that was snowed out last weekend.  Game Time is 9:00 PM

Until then - Keep Warm!