Shorthanded Macs Triumph Bulldogs for 3-0 start.

Yeshiva University roller hockey had a wild night on Thursday, facing off against the winless Bulldogs in their third ISCA game of the season. Yet they were as shorthanded as a hockey puck in a snowstorm, with only three skaters suiting up: Ariel Greenberg, Zach Levy, and Eli Spinowitz. In a desperate move to avoid a forfeit, they roped in Henry Wolf to join the party. And in the crease, the one and only Micheal Mintz stood guard.

However, as if things couldn't start any crazier, Mintz got called for a "delay of game" penalty, probably taking too long to put on his goalie gear. The Bulldogs got a taste of the power play, but the Macs' penalty kill unit was as strong as a Zamboni clearing the ice. Shortly after, Ariel Greenberg took a detour to the penalty box for "hooking," and Zach Levy decided he wanted to join the party, too, with his trip to the sin bin. But Mintz was a fortress, and the Macs' defense held strong, keeping the Bulldogs from lighting the lamp. The lone goal of the period was scored by Yeshiva, courtesy of Ariel Greenberg, assisted by Spinowitz and the late recruit, Henry Wolf. Shots on goal favored the Bulldogs, 10-7.

Undermanned and Unstoppable: The Yeshiva Roller Hockey Saga:

Just over three minutes into the period, the Macs doubled their lead with Eli Spinowitz netting a beauty on the power play, assisted by Greenberg and Wolf. Yet the Bulldogs weren't going down without a fight, and Mike Landa sliced the deficit in half a few minutes later. Mintz, YU’s trusty guardian of the net, made some spectacular saves, keeping Yeshiva ahead 2-1. Shots were close, 9-7 in favor of the Bulldogs.

After some early offensive fireworks and some lockdown defense, the Macs decided they needed an insurance goal. Zach Levy set up Ariel Greenberg for his second of the night, leaving the Bulldogs feeling frosty with just over four minutes left. But they weren't done yet, and Tyler Neff managed to sneak one past Mintz with a minute to go. In the end, Mintz was the hero, finishing the game with 25 saves on 27 shots, and the Macs improved to a perfect 3-0 on the season. Looks like Mintz had ice in his veins and the Bulldogs were left howling for more!

Three Stars of the Game:

1. Micheal Mintz (Yeshiva University) - First Star**

- Stats: 25 saves on 27 shots

- Why: Mintz was an absolute brick wall in the net, making crucial saves throughout the game. His stellar performance gave Yeshiva the confidence they needed to secure the win.

2. **Ariel Greenberg (Yeshiva University) - Second Star**

- Stats: 2 goals, 1 assist

- Why: Greenberg was the offensive spark for Yeshiva, scoring two critical goals and providing an assist in his season debut. His offensive contributions were instrumental in securing the victory.

3. **Eli Spinowitz (Yeshiva University) - Third Star**

- Stats: 1 goal, 1 assist

- Why: Spinowitz played a key role in the Macs' power play, netting a goal and assisting on another. His well-rounded performance helped maintain Yeshiva's lead and secure the win.

The unsung hero of the game: **Henry Wolf (Yeshiva University)**. While not featured prominently in the scoring summary, his willingness to step in and join the team when they were shorthanded was a game-changer. Without him, the Macs would have faced a forfeit. His unselfishness and commitment to the team's success, despite not getting on the score sheet, make him the unsung hero of the game. Wolf's presence allowed the team to compete and ultimately secure the win.