Newark, NJ - Sal Micciche scored with 2:16 remaining in overtime to give the NJIT Highlanders a 4-3 win over the Susquehanna River Hawks. NJIT wins the season series over the River Hawks 2-0 and are now 4-4 against teams not in the ACHA. Before the game, a "Senior Night" ceremony was held to honor senior players Jeff Patterson, Rohan Ganta, Brendan Clayton, and Ryan Downey. Each player was introduced, given flowers, and took pictures with family, coaching staff, and with each other.
Brenden Smith got the ice breaking goal 4:44 into the game with John Pinkham getting the only assist on the goal. The Highlanders would maintain that lead after the 1st period. Smith would score his 2nd of the game during a 7 minute power play (5 minute major DQ + 2 minute minor penalties) 24 seconds into the 2nd period. Matthew Francescutto and Sal Micciche got the helpers. Susquehanna cut the deficit to 2-1 later on in the period and the 2-1 score would remain after the 2nd intermission.
The 3rd period would be a highly competitive, back and forth affair where both teams would trade goals. The River Hawks got a power play goal with nearly six and half minutes into the period to tie the game at 2-2. But, Micciche would respond almost a minute and a half later to give NJIT a one-goal advantage again. Smith and Rohan Ganta would get the assists on that goal. But, Susquehanna would tie the game with over 10 minutes remaining in the game. It appeared that Rohan Ganta scored in the late stages of the game with a left corner shot to give NJIT a 4-3 lead that squeaked by the River Hawk goaltender. But, the officials determined after a 4 minute discussion that the puck did not completely cross the goal line. So as a result, the game remained 3-3 after 60 minutes of play.
So the teams played a 5-minute, 3-on-3 overtime period where Micciche got his 2nd goal on a one-timer off a feed from Francescutto. Colby Puletz made 18 saves in another good performance.
Goals: Smith (2), Micciche (2)
Assists: Pinkham, Francescutto (2), Micciche, Smith, Ganta
Saves: Puletz 18 saves
SOG: NJIT - 45, Susquehanna - 20
PP: NJIT - 1/3, Susquehanna - 1/5
PK: NJIT - 4/5, Susquehanna - 2/3
The Highlanders will play their final game of the season tonight against Ramapo College at 8:30 at RWJ.
