This past weekend saw Florida Atlantic ice hockey drop a set of two games against Florida State University.

The two losses come on the heel of a string of losses in a series of away games. FAU split a two-game series against South Florida — who FAU goalie Steve Krzeminski called “one of their closer rivals” — on Oct. 21-22.

Then the University of Tampa defeated FAU on both Nov. 11 and 12, by a combined score of 16-6.

Goalie Austin Luboff saw some action in net over the previous games, due to Krzeminski’s recent injury. Luboff saved 68-of-73 shots in the 5-3 loss on Nov. 11.

Luboff again started both games this weekend along with forwards Danny Bowman, Ryan Deemer and Hunter Sheehan. Dylan Najjar and Austin Connors were the starting defensemen.

Game one: FAU 3, FSU 6

FSU scored two goals halfway into the first period to take the first lead in Friday night’s game. FSU played a strong offensive game, keeping the puck in the Owls defensive zone for most of the first period.

FSU surrendered its 2-0 lead when Thomas Craig and Dylan Najjar scored two goals in quick succession to tie the game. The Seminoles were able to score again and take a 3-2 lead into the third period.

FAU once again tied the game when Hunter Sheehan scored a goal at the 7:20 mark. The team played a dynamic third period until FSU left wing Trey Stern netted a hat trick, and from that point on things seemed relentless for the Owls.

With just over a minute left in the game, FSU scored an empty netter after Luboff was pulled from the goal. FAU fell 6-3.

Game two: FAU 4, FSU 7

Florida State University secured an early lead in Saturday night’s game, scoring just 52 seconds into the game and again three minutes later.

Club President Sheehan scored FAU’s first goal of the night with 2:05 remaining in the first period, bringing the score to 3-1. Sheehan, a senior, currently leads the club in points.

The second period started with Sheehan in the penalty box. FSU’s Quinn Larson capitalized on the power play and put one past Luboff shortly after.

FAU’s Deemer responded by scoring his first goal of the evening. Deemer has recorded 15 points in 10 games.

The third period began similar to the second, with 22 seconds left on another FSU power play after a second penalty on Sheehan. FSU continued to play an aggressive game with Nicholas Granger scoring and John Bradshaw following up with another goal only six seconds later bringing the score up to 6-2.

A brawl seven and a half minutes into the third period led to a four-minute penalty for FSU after much deliberation from the referees. FSU extended its lead 7-2.

Two more goals came from Deemer — resulting in a hat trick for his efforts — but it wasn’t enough to rescue the game.

FAU fell 7-4.

Both weekend games were played at the Florida Panthers IceDen in Coral Springs, the official practice facility of the Florida Panthers. The facility celebrated its 20th birthday on Saturday, Nov.19.

The Owls will host Florida Gulf Coast University for their next home game on Friday, Dec. 2 at 8:30 p.m. The game will be played at the Panthers IceDen.

Hilary Webber is a contributing writer for the University Press. For information regarding this or other stories, email [email protected] or tweet her @hilareel.