After a foursome sweep of the weekend at the NCRHA, including wins over fifth-ranked Oswego and top-ranked Montclair ST, and a Kiddush Hashem that went viral, the Yeshiva University Roller Hockey team hit the ISCA rink for a showdown with the reigning league champions, the Premature Shooters. In their previous meeting, the Macs used an eight-goal third period in a 10-3 romp, taking advantage of the shorthanded Shooters. On Wednesday, they were at full strength, and the Macs needed adjustments. Between the pipes was none other than Sol Feder, as Micheal Mintz missed the game due to academic obligations. This wasn’t the first time YU’s sniper put the pads on, as he was a goaltender in his childhood and has even helped Mintz in practices.
That said, the Macs knew they needed to be sharp defensively, letting Feder shake out the nerves and settle in. How Sol’s good friend and forever linemate Ariel Greenberg felt that and scored seconds into the contest off great passes from EITAN and Zach Levy to give Yeshiva a quick 1-0 lead. The Shooters would live up to their name after that and peppered Feder before tying the game, courtesy of some nifty moves from Micheal Ruthberg. Two minutes later, the Shooters hemmed the Macs in their zone and took the lead when Adam Zaloum scored from Ruthberg and Kyle Quinn.
The Macs answered with pressure of their own, but Vinny Nappi, who conceded ten goals in their previous meeting, was having none of it this time. Despite outshooting the Shooters 9-7, YU trailed 2-1 after the first period.
The second period was more of the same. Yeshiva sent nine shots Nappi’s way but only scored once when EITAN Levy
netted his 14th of the ISCA season from Avraham Gellman and Yoni Drazin. The tally gave the Macs hope after Sean Haggerty beat Feder to make it 3-1 Premature Shooters.
The Macs got caught a few times in transition, and although Sol came up big at times, his furnished armor would crack. Both teams had their chances in the third period, but the Shooters executed while also ensuring they didn’t celebrate prematurely. Haggerty found Quinn, who put home a rebound before finding Zaloum to make it 5-2. At the other end, Yeshivah tried to respond, but Nappi stood tall. The difference in the game was ultimately goaltending, and it was on a night like this that Yeshiva realized what kind of gem they have in Mintz. Feder admirably made 18 saves on 23 shots (.783 Save %) , but he was outdone by Nappi, who made 29 saves on 31 shots (.935 save %), helping his team exact revenge and secure an ISCA playoff spot. For the Macs, they dropped to 6-3 (One loss was a forfeit due to the holiday) on the season and 12-4 overall. Big picture-wise, they’ll be just fine. They played hard here. It just wasn’t their night.
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