The NJIT Highlanders traveled to New Haven, CT Saturday night to play against the Yale Bulldogs in the storied Ingalls Arena. The Highlanders improved to 8-5-0 in league play and remain unbeaten against Garden Division opponents. Overall, NJIT is now 12-5-0 and looking forward to the this weekend's trip to Glens Falls/Schenectady to face Skidmore and Union, who they count among their biggest rivals.
Saturday's game started out well for the Highlanders as they jumped out to a 3-0 lead on the strength of Chris Sala's wrist shot from the slot, Matt Webb's tenacious work to jam one home and a pretty goal from Desi Fioravanti. The game seemed to be too easy and in fact it was. Typical of a team that is learning how to contend, the much improved Highlanders allowed the 3-0 lead to dissipate as penalties and sloppy play allowed the Bulldogs to score a pair of their own and close to 3-2.
The Highlanders reestablished their 2-goal lead when Justin Gelesky lugged the puck down the left wing with a defender draped all over him, drove to the net and lifted a beautiful backhander over the goalies shoulder.
Unwilling to quit, Yale came right back with one of their own and the lead was back to one. At the end of 2 periods the shots were tied at 23 and the score was 4-3 in favor of NJIT.
Right from the opening whistle the 3rd period was different. NJIT came out flying and forechecked with an intensity that was missing earlier in the game. The second and third man worked hard to support the play and they kept Yale penned in their own end for most of the period. The result was another goal for Justin Gelesky in a period that saw the Highlanders outshoot their opponent 12-7.
With the end of the regular season in sight the Highlanders are currently seeded 8th and would face the 9th seeded CCM in the playoffs on Feb. 20th at Prudential Center. Plan on coming out and supporting the team in their first ever playoff game.
It was great to see such a big crowd come up to CT to support the team.
NJIT fans literally outnumbered the home crowd 20-1! Let's do the same at the ROCK!
