EAST MEADOW, N.Y. — The LIU men's hockey team has proven a thorn in the side of the nation's elite teams this season, including tying Quinnipiac in Connecticut back on Oct. 9.

The Bobcats since have risen to the nation's top spot.

The rematch did not disappoint.

In the program's first-ever game against a No. 1-ranked opponent, the Sharks fell to Quinnipiac, 5-2, on Saturday night at Northwell Health Ice Center.

Josh Zary opened the game's scoring, providing a 1-0 lead for LIU midway through the first period.

However, Quinnipiac answered less than two minutes later en route to producing four straight goals.

Still, the Sharks pushed.

Noah Kane notched a power-play goal in the second period to pull LIU within 4-2. And the Sharks nearly moved within a goal before the second intermission, but Adam Goodsir was turned away on a breakaway in the final seconds of the middle period.

Quinnipiac secured the win on Zach Metsa's goal with 3:18 remaining in the third period.

Coach Brett Riley shook up his defensive corps a night after LIU fell at Princeton, 5-2. Ethan Martini made his season debut and freshman AJ Casperson appeared in his third game of the season.

LIU returns to action with home games against Lindenwood next Friday at 3 p.m. and Saturday at 8 p.m. at Northwell Health Ice Center.