Romeoville, IL- The D1 Club Ice Hockey team traveled west over the weekend, playing three games in three days. The Colonials played two games against Robert Morris Illinois,  a historically strong team. The Colonials lost both games against them, losing 5-2 and 3-1 respectively. The final game of the weekend was against #24 ranked Illinois State. Despite being the underdogs to the Redbirds, RMU pulled out a wild 7-6 overtime victory to end the weekend on a high note.

Game 1: RMU loses 5-2 to RMU Illinois

While it had quite a number of shots on goal from each team, the goal scoring took a while to find. Both teams went through the first period scoreless thanks in part from freshman goaltender Parker Rutherford making some big stops for the Colonials. It would not be until an RMU PA power play opportunity midway through the second period that a team got on the board. Zach Gielarowski and Nathan Mickey set up Joseph Zottola to give the Colonials the lead. RMU Illinois struck back with a power play goal less than two minutes later, and another goal at even strength meant the Eagles a 2-1 lead. 

Nearly the halfway mark of the 3rd period, the Eagles scored again to make it a 3-1 game. Despite the high volume of shots the Colonials could not get one to go until one of the most unlikely of chances. With under 4 minutes to play in the period and shorthanded, Matthew Butson flew down the ice for an unassisted shorthanded goal to make it 3-2. The one goal deficit would only last for 10 seconds before the Eagles scored on the power play. An empty netter sealed it with a second left to play.

Game 2: RMU loses 3-1 to RMU Illinois

While the final score was 3-1, entering the final minute of play it was only 1-0 RMU Illinois. The Eagles scored around 9 minutes into the first period, and neither side could break through after that. The remainder of the first and all of the second passed with the goal light sparking to life. It was not through a lack of shots either, as each team finished with over 40 registered shots on goal. 

With less than a minute to play, the Colonials pulled the goalie for an extra attacker. The Eagles scored into the empty net to make it 2-0. Then with the goalie still pulled the Colonials scored with less than 30 seconds to play to bring it back within one. Nathan Mickey was credited with the goal. RMU PA kept the goalie pulled in the final seconds to try and find the equalizer, but it was not meant to be. RMU Illinois got a last second empty net goal, similar to the game prior and the Colonials lost 3-1. Starting goaltender Lewis Richardson was sensational, stopping 39 of 40 shots he faced in net. 

Game 3: RMU wins 7-6 (OT) over Illinois State

It took a wild comeback to make it happen, but RMU was up to the task. The Colonials entered the 3rd period trailing 6-3. Two of the three goals RMU had already scored were in the first period. They were netted by Justin Adamski and Antoni Chirgott. The lone RMU goal of the 2nd period was courtesy of Adamski for his 2nd of the night and 5th of the season.

Despite the rough start to the game the Colonials never gave up. The comeback began with defenseman Noah Raymundo. The blueliner fired home a shot with 13:16 remaining in regulation to cut the Redbirds' lead to 2.  Exactly 5 minutes had passed on the game clock when Robert Morris got themselves back to within 1. Joseph Zottola struck to make it 6-5 with less than 9 minutes left. There would only be seconds over 3 minutes left when RMU tied the game.

Raymundo got his 2nd goal of the night to tie the game at 6, and the game went to overtime. From there, all it took was a minute and one second. Zottola got his 2nd of the night to win it for the Colonials, 7-6 in overtime. 3 players recorded multi-goal games for RMU in this one, and their record overall improves to 12-4-1.

Alexander Gagnon '21
Club Sport Information Director