By Danielle O’Connor, Staff Writer
The LIU Men’s Hockey team has been making waves this season, showcasing their incredible skill and determination on the ice. With a mix of upperclassmen and new Sharks, the Sharks have faced tough competition while delivering impressive performances. As the season progresses, the team’s growth is clear with their aggressiveness and drive to win along with the team’s chemistry. With high hopes for the rest of the season, the Sharks are ready to continue making their way to the top of the food chain.
A key player making waves this season is Defensive freshman business finance major Nicholas Bernardo whose skill and drive to succeed have contributed majorly to the team’s success. As the team continues to evolve, their collective mindset, focussed on winning has been a key factor in their success. Benardo highlighted what he believes to be the team’s greatest strengths, as well as touching upon an area that could be improved.
“Our biggest strengths as a team this year would be our culture and toughness on the ice. We stay together as a team through the good times and the tough times. Our toughness and effort on the ice is what we preach as a team to help win games. Something that needs improvement would be our ability to execute on our scoring chances,” Bernardo said.
To say the least, the freshman class has been driven to win from the moment they stepped on campus. Freshman forward business administration major Brennan Nelson has showcased his capability on the ice and discussed what being a Shark means to him.
“Our goal for the rest of the season is to set the program record for most wins in a season with 17 so we need to win our next 2 out of 6 games to hit this goal. I think we also want to finish the year strong and continue building a strong reputation for the logo we wear on the jersey,” Nelson states.
The team currently has a record of 15-11-2 as they head into their next home series against Alaska Anchorage. Following their home series, they’ll be taking the road and going to Massachusetts to face Stonehill, who they have already beaten five times this season. Their last series, consisting of two games against Lindenwood, went well as they won both games (4-2 on Thursday’s game and 3-2 on Friday’s game). With their recent success and determined mindset, it’s exciting to think what could happen against Alaska and Stonehill.
Having individual goals for yourself even when the sport is a team-oriented game is essential to ensuring you improve as an individual. With that said, Nelson pushes himself continuously to be the best player he possibly could be.
“To stay motivated I try to set a lot of short-term goals to look forward to and accomplish that help to achieve the bigger long-term goals,” Nelson explains.
When discussing the highlight of the season thus far for him, Nelson instantly knew.
“The highlight of the season so far is probably beating ranked Notre Dame earlier in the year,” Nelson said.
The Sharks’ impressive chemistry and determination led them to win against the Fighting Irish earlier this year with a final score of 5-2. Nelson wasn’t the only teammate who saw this win as the highlight of the 2024-2025 season. Fifth-year Center business major Connor Gregga also emphasized what the win against the powerhouse team meant to him.
When discussing the experience of playing in high-profile arenas, Gregga emphasized the heightened focus he maintains on the ice while acknowledging the everyday challenges that come with the game. He shared his way of focusing on staying calm and getting the job done.
“I’ve played in buildings with more than 17,000 fans so I remember what times like that felt like and how I can manage my emotions to be focused and play my game. I like to focus on my breathing when I get butterflies in my stomach. 4 second inhale, 4 second exhale.”
This mindset has paid off for Gregga, as he continues to succeed and remain fierce on the ice; amassing two goals and seven assists. His play has helped lead the Sharks to a 16-11-2 overall record. His determination and goals are admirable, showcasing a level of commitment that drives him through every challenge he faces.
“I stay motivated during the tough moments of the season by staying disciplined to my routine and remembering the goals I have set out for myself to achieve during my hockey career,” Gregga explains.
As the season continues, the combination of leadership from players ranging from the freshman class to graduate students goes to show the strong connection this team has as they share one goal; winning. These talented Sharks are not only driven to succeed individually but as a team which speaks volumes to their bond on and off the ice. With the strong leadership presence on this team combined with their shared dreams, this team is bound for greatness.
The Sharks will be facing Alaska Anchorage this Friday at 2:00 p.m. Time will soon tell if they break their home wins record!
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