Moon, PA- It was not a perfect points weekend for the Colonials, but they got two of a possible four. The Friday night game against Indiana University of Pennsylvania was a physical contest, but RMU could not get the bounces they needed as they lost 4-3. However, they got some revenge against rival Pitt-Johnstown on Saturday with a 3-1 victory. The Colonials currently sit with a 5-3-1-1 record on the season, still hovering just over a .500 win percentage.
Friday: RMU Loses 4-3
In a physical match against local rival IUP, the D3 Club Hockey team lost by a score of 4-3. Both teams played well to limit the oppositions shot attempts, and both goalies made some spectacular saves to keep their teams in it.
The first period was a major feeling out process for both teams. It was a tight defensive battle to start, with neither team wanting to allow the other to have a quality scoring chance. Despite being shorthanded a few times in the first period, RMU goaltender Nick Arcaya made some huge saves to keep the game scoreless.
Scoring finally began in the second period of play. The Crimson Hawks opened the scoring with a power play goal early in the second period, but it wouldn't last long. Matthew Simkovic tied the game a few minutes later. He found himself on the breakaway with a defending trailing close behind, and Simkovic made his move and beat the goaltender low glove side.
IUP took the lead back and then doubled up late in the second period. RMU trailed 3-1. They cut into the deficit when x scored for RMU on the power play. He got a rebound chance in front and forced it home to make it a 3-2 game. IUP scored early in the 3rd period to retake a 2 goal lead 4-2.
Blake Loges added a spark of hope for the home fans with less than a minute to go, when he shoved home a rebound chance low blocker side on the power play to bring the Colonials back within one. RMU pulled the goalie and generated a couple more chances, but none found their way home.
Saturday: RMU Wins 3-1
For the third time this season, RMU took on Pitt-Johnstown. But for the first time this season the Colonials picked up the win. Having seen quite a lot of each other so far this season, it was not surprising to see the high penalty count for both side. Robert Morris ended up with 20 penalty minutes on 10 minor calls, and Pitt-Johnstown ended with 19 penalty minutes on 7 minors and a major call.
The first period was overall less eventful than the periods to follow regarding goals and penalties. UPJ scored the only goal of the period with a little over 5 minutes to go in the period and took the 1-0 lead into intermission. The second period saw quite a few penalties on both sides, but RMU was able to tie the game. With only 3:16 to play in the 2nd period and both sides only with 4 skaters due to coincidental penalties, Luke Cirlingione scored to tie the game a 1. Defenseman Norman Riffner got the assist on the play.
Nolan Puhula (assisted by Blake Loges) scored for Robert Morris to make it 2-1 less than 3 minutes into the 3rd period. RMU never looked back as the lead would hold until the end of the game. Lance Cotton scored another 4 v 4 goal for RMU to add some insurance and make it a 2 goal lead. Puhula and Cirlingione both got their 2nd points of the night with an assist. Goaltender Russell Mower had a huge game in net for the Colonials, stopping 32 of 33 UPJ shots in the victory.
Alexander Gagnon '21
Club Sport Information Director
