After last weekend's 7-5 victory over Seton Hall, NJIT had one goal in mind: Make the Playoffs. Going into the weekend, NJIT had two chances to accomplish this. First was Friday night when the Highlanders hosted LaSalle University, who were also in playoff contention. The game began with a moment of silence for LaSalle player Conor O'Kane who passed away during winter break. In his remembrance, LaSalle University travels with his jersey and places it at their bench.
Opening the first period, LaSalle University immediately tallied their first goal just 14 seconds into the game. Their determined play was a force for the Highlanders to handle. Constantly playing in their own zone and rarely getting any offensive chances, the Highlanders had no choice but to match LaSalle's physical game. The atmosphere quickly felt like any playoff game between two evenly matched teams. There was a lot of physical play, every inch of ice had to be earned, and any shot that could make it on goal was taken. Late in the first period, LaSalle took a penalty leading to a power play opportunity for the Highlanders. Constantly battling for a chance to tie the game, the Highlanders kept pressing into the zone looking for an opportunity to score. Freshman Robert Amos on a rush skated past the LaSalle defense and before he could complete his move, was launched into the LaSalle net.
Frustrations ran high as LaSalle goalie Liam Mcmanus took a shot at Amos for falling on top of him. Amos retaliated against the goalie as though to say that NJIT will not be intimidated. After the penalties were sorted out, Freshman Dan Smith's face-off win traveled back perfectly onto the stick of Christopher Pawlik who shot a laser into the net tying the game 1-1. The Highlanders were right back in the game putting pressure on LaSalle who continued their heavy hitting. Before the period ended LaSalle's Matt Buonato snuck the puck passed NJIT Goalie Michael Lipinski, taking a 2-1 lead into the locker room.
The second period continued the physical play of the first. This time NJIT was equally hitting LaSalle causing there to be a stalemate. Chances continued to pile up on both sides, when eventually Tim Witty would give LaSalle a 3-1 lead early in the second period.
The Highlanders remained composed and sought any chance they could get to score. Suddenly, LaSalle was pressed into their own zone, unable to counter NJIT's aggressive attack. Fortunately for LaSalle, Goaltender Liam Mcmanus had a miraculous performance making many impressive saves which prevented NJIT from scoring. However, late in the second period, Mcmanus would not be able to stop freshman Rob Amos from scoring as he closed the gap to a single goal. Down 3-2, NJIT continued to apply pressure which led a questionable “No Goal” call from the official. The ruling on the ice upset the many NJIT fans in attendance. Moments later LaSalle would score again to make it 4-2 before ending the period.
The third period began the same as the other two; with LaSalle scored early to take a commanding 5-2 lead seemingly ruining NJIT's playoff hopes. However, the fans would not give up on the team, and the Highlanders slowly began to gain their composure looking to climb back into the game. Just under seven minutes remaining in the game, NJIT suddenly sparked a rally when Nicholas Naumovski batted the puck in after a perfect setup from freshman Corrado Mancini. Almost two minutes after that, Christian Corey intercepted the puck and shot it past the unsuspecting Mcmanus to make it 5-4. Life had sprung once again from the Highlanders as the score was almost tied; queue Captain Colin McArdle, who battled for the puck inside the crease knocking it in.
Tied 5-5, LaSalle was suddenly caught off-guard. The confusion spread as NJIT suddenly dominated game just before heading into Overtime. The energy in the building was indescribable; the fan's chanting in unison “NJ”-clap, clap-“IT”, even doing a wave letting the team know their appreciation for fighting their way back into this game.
Overtime started and the Highlanders were on the attack. The scoring chances were numerous and as such were the missed opportunities. They continuously caught LaSalle goalie Mcmanus out of position, but unable to knock one in. The most memorable opportunity was when sophomore Jason Anagnos carried the puck in on a 2-on-1 chance, and just as he was about to get hit, he centered it to Amos who unfortunately had the puck hop right over his stick as he was looking at an empty net to shoot at. The game ended in a tie, and NJIT's playoff hopes remained alive.
