Playing immediately after an upsetting loss to Scranton University the night before, NJIT Hockey faced off against Seton Hall at South Mountain Arena in West Orange, NJ.
The scoring opened up immediately and frequently when NJIT Freshman Adam Finkle centered a pass to Junior James Wintjen leaving him alone to face Seton Hall goalie Chris Borkes. Wintjen deked the goalie successfully giving NJIT an early 1-0 lead. Moments later, during a delayed penalty call against NJIT, Seton Hall set up in the zone and tied it 1-1 after Danny Jones knocked home a puck which was centered from behind the net.
NJIT continued to pressure however, gaining many scoring chances forcing Seton Hall to play in their end. Seton Hall took two penalties trying to fend off the Highlanders which led Sophomore Jason Anagnos for a 5-on-3 Power Play Goal giving NJIT the 2-1 lead into the end of the first period. The second period continued the scoring frenzy as John Posdon shot through a screen, scoring past NJIT Goalie Michael Lipinski. NJIT and Seton Hall continued their fastest back and forth pace of the game, however unable to capitalize on their chances.
Later in the second, NJIT Senior Kevin Mahon interrupted the silence by coming down into the zone and trickling a shot in for a 3-2 lead. The scoring erupted again, only a minute and 12 seconds later Captain Christopher Oertel blasted a slap shot from the point beating Chris Borkes to give NJIT the 4-2 lead. It didn't stop there, 56 seconds after Oertel's goal Freshman Robert Amos performed two stellar dekes, first to get around the defensemen, then making Chris Borkes dive across the crease before lifting the puck top-shelf into the net. Before the period ended Anthony Salerno scored on the Power Play for Seton hall, making it 5-3.
Things looked great for the Highlanders coming out into the third period, especially after Wintjen scored his second goal of the game just 14 seconds into the period to give NJIT the 6-3 lead. Seton Hall however, was not going to give up as they began to fight back the rest of the game. A minute and 35 seconds after Wintjen's goal, Lance Aligo picked up a rebound and buried it home to make it 6-4 NJIT. The Highlanders continued to keep their place and apply pressure earning them a Power Play after Aligo's goal, however Seton Hall managed to escape on 2-on-1 short handed chance. Aligo scored once again on the Short-Handed rush after receiving a cross-ice pass which guaranteed him an empty net to shoot at.
It appeared as though Seton Hall was certainly fighting back to win the game. NJIT was constantly forced to play back into their zone as Seton Hall continued to get chances. The Highlanders frustration was becoming more obvious with each shift leading into the end of the game. Still forced back in their own zone, defenseman Christian Corey shot the puck along the boards and was immediately picked up by Freshman Robert Amos who scored his second of the game after flying along the boards and wristing a quick shot past Chris Borke to give NJIT a 7-5 lead with only 1:56 left in the game. After the goal Seton Hall played the remained of the game with an Empty Net, during which NJIT Sophomore Michael Lipinski did an outstanding job stopping all the shots Seton Hall sent his way, securing NJIT's 7-5 Victory.
The Highlanders will make a final push toward Playoff Contention this coming weekend. They return home Friday February 11, 2011 to play against La Salle at 9:00pm. They then finish the season at home Sunday February 13, 2011 against CW Post at 4:00pm. The Highlanders play in the Amerihealth Pavilion located at the Prudential Center (corner of Mulberry and Lafayette Street).
