For the first time since joining the CSCHC in 2016, Rutgers University fell to the Seton Hall University Pirates, 2-0. The former Big East rivals had played one-another six times prior to Friday’s game with the Scarlet Knights never surrendering more than a point in every instance. 

The shutout win was won with two pirate goalies as junior and usual starter Joe Carbone was replaced by sophomore Adam Spitz halfway through the second period after receiving a head injury. Their teammate, junior Thomas Healy, made sure the same could not be said for Rutgers. Seven minutes into the game, off a saucer pass from defenseman Tanner Purcel, Healy snipped a shot through the air and over the shoulder of the Rutgers’ goaltender for the eventual game winner.

Both the Pirates and Knights spent a majority of the game in the penalty boxes as the two teams tallied a grand total of 60 minutes of penalty minutes (both teams earned 10 minute misconducts). Rutgers earned the majority of penalties with 13 while the Pirates only earned nine called fouls. 

Rutgers played well to kill the majority of their penalties, but after a Rutgers forward was called for his second of the game in the third period, Healy was able to knock another puck into the net off assists from Jeremy Grabiec and Luke Kirkowski.

The game is Spitz’s first win in college and earned him high praise from head coach, John Diaz, not only for his performance for the second half of the game, but for the team around him.

credit: cschc