EAST MEADOW, N.Y. — Two-time breast cancer survivor Michele Perrone dropped the ceremonial first puck before the LIU men's hockey team's game against Saint Anselm on Saturday night.

Her son participated in that moment as the Sharks' representative during the pregame ceremony at center ice.

Goaltender Brandon Perrone then produced his first career shutout in a 4-0 victory against the Hawks at Northwell Health Ice Center.

Perrone, a graduate student from Smithtown, made 17 saves in the victory.

"I'm just so thankful I was here," Michele Perrone said. "It was an amazing game, and I'm so happy to see Brandon get his win."

Said Brandon Perrone: "It was honestly surreal for me. I was getting emotional during the puck drop. She deserves the world. I play for her, and my nanna, who suffered with breast cancer as well. She's in Florida watching. It just means a lot to have her watch me play and see her smile."

Remy Parker and Nolan Welsh produced first-period goals for LIU.

Then, leading 2-0 in the second period, the Sharks killed a five-minute penalty. Perrone also saved a breakaway during the period, before LIU expanded the lead to three goals on Chris Pappas' score with 2 minutes, 34 seconds remaining until the second intermission.

LIU's last shutout also came against Saint Anselm, in a 7-0 win on Jan. 22, 2022, also at Northwell Health Ice Center.

On Saturday night, LIU welcomed the Long Island chapter of Making Strides Against Breast Cancer to the game. And the Perrones celebrated their successful pair of battles against breast cancer ... and then the goaltender's first career shutout victory.

Michele Perrone twice has defeated breast cancer — three and 13 years ago.

"It really impacted our lives," she said. "Brandon has always been very supportive. He's had the pink ribbon on the back of his helmet since he's been much younger.

"The first time it really affected him. He's been through a lot. I've also had ovarian cancer. And I just had thyroid cancer. I just had my thyroid taken out. So it's been a lot of different things. He's such a good kid.

"I told him his helmet is not going to be big enough for all the ribbons he has back there," she added with a laugh.

Said Brandon Perrone: "It's something that puts hockey in perspective. I always have a little ribbon on my stick. Honestly, to see my nanna and my mom beat it and stay so positive and support me, it's been such a  good learning experience for me that there's bigger things than just hockey."