NEWARK, NJ - The Highlanders were looking to have a good outing against the holders of 1st place in the Independence Division Seton Hall in a Colonial States conference showdown. But, the Pirates defeated NJIT 9-2 in the 1st of 3 meetings between the two squads. NJIT's record overall is 2-5 and 1-2 within the CSCHC.
Seton Hall broke the ice with a goal nearly halfway through the 1st period. Matthew Francescutto got his 3rd goal of the season on the power play to tie it at 12:19. Paul Wendling got the lone assist on the goal. The Pirates would get three more goals to take a 4-1 lead after the 1st intermission.
The 2nd period was a much more even period of play as the Highlanders would get the 1st goal of the period past the middle portion of the period with another power play, this time coming from Ted Lee. Lee also got his 3rd goal of the season on the 5-on-3 power play with assists going to Rohan Ganta and Matthew Torre. Seton Hall responded with a goal a few minutes later and they regained a 3-goal cushion to end the period.
The Pirates would dominate the 3rd period as they scored 4 goals in the period as they would win 9-2. The victory puts Seton Hall 8 points ahead of NJIT for the division lead in the Independence Division. The new divisional set-up has only the winner of the Independence Division getting a spot in the Colonial Cup playoffs as the other spots will go to the six best records in the Liberty Division. James Bond made 13 saves and Nicholas Facchini made 21 saves in relief.
Goals: Francescutto, Lee
Assists: Wendling, Ganta, Torre
Saves: Bond 13 saves, Facchini 21 saves
SOG: Seton Hall - 43 NJIT - 11
PP: Seton Hall - 2/6 NJIT - 2/5
PK: Seton Hall - 3/5 NJIT - 4/6
NJIT will play two games this coming weekend. The Highlanders will face off against the Scranton Royals Friday night at 8:30 at RWJ. Then, NJIT will face off against Seton Hall at Richard Codey Arena at 8:45 on Saturday night.
