NEWARK, NJ - The NJIT men's hockey team was looking for their 2nd win within Colonial States conference play in their only meeting against the Scranton Royals. But, the Royals would be the victors 6-3 over the Highlanders. NJIT has an overall record of 2-6 and 1-3 in the Colonial States College Hockey Conference. 

Scranton got the 1st goal of the game at 1:45 into the game to grab the early lead. Matthew Torre quickly tied the game less than a minute later with his 3rd goal of the season. The assists on Torre's goal went to Christian Culp and Dennis Sikorjak. The Royals would retake the lead late in the period and would have a 2-1 lead after one period of play.

Scranton would score three times in the 2nd period to increase their lead to a 4 goal advantage. The Highlanders had some good scoring chances including a Ted Lee penalty shot, but were all denied by the Royals netminder. The score read 5-1 Scranton after the 2nd period.

NJIT put together their best period of play in the 3rd period showing that they were going to battle until the end. Dalton Smith also scored his 3rd of the season off a great feed from Matthew Francescutto to cut into the Scranton lead. Jeff Patterson also got a secondary assist on the Smith goal. The Royals would get their 6th goal a few minutes later to make it 6-2. The Highlanders showed again despite the score they wouldn't go quietly as Rohan Ganta got his 2nd goal of the season late in the 3rd to make it 6-3. Sal Micciche playing in his 1st game as a Highlander got the lone assist. Noah Vasquez made 42 saves in his 2nd start of the season.

Goals: Torre, Dalton Smith, Ganta

Assists: Culp, Sikorjak, Francescutto, Patterson, Micciche

Saves: Vasquez 42 saves

SOG: Scranton - 48 saves             NJIT - 33 saves

PP: Scranton - 1/4                         NJIT - 0/3

PK: Scranton - 3/3                        NJIT - ¾

NJIT will play against Seton Hall at Richard Codey Arena tonight at 8:45 PM. Next weekend, the Highlanders will travel to Jersey Shore Arena to take on Monmouth on Friday at 8 PM and then back to RWJ the following night against Penn at 8:30 PM.