Men's D1 Club Ice Hockey | 9/30/2019 2:56:00 PM

Tuscaloosa, AL- The D1 Club Ice Hockey team made the longest journey of any RMU club team last weekend. They bused across the country to take on the Alabama Crimson Tide in D1 Club Hockey action. The Colonials won the Friday night game by a score of 3-2 securing two points for the team. Saturday saw the Colonials nearly pickup another win, but they ultimately fell 4-3 in a shootout. The shootout loss still provides a point in the standings for the team. The Colonials can also still say they have yet to lose a game in regulation.

Game 1: RMU wins 3-2

The Colonials went back to what was successful in their victory over Mercyhurst as their starting lineup against Alabama. Lewis Richardson was in net again for RMU, his second start of this young season. Tanner Orr started down the middle offensively. He centered a line with Antoni Chirgott and Steven Ralston for much of the night. This line found success as well, with Ralston burying a shot midway through the first period to give Robert Morris the 1-0 lead. The Crimson Tide would tie the game a few minutes later, and we would enter first intermission with a 1-1 tie. 

The second period got underway, and several minutes later the tie was broken by the visitors. With the Colonials on the power play, junior defenseman Andrew Hachmeister rifled a shot home to give RMU the 2-1 lead. Joesph Zottola recorded the assist on the goal. It wouldn't be more than 5 minutes later in the game when Robert Morris expanded their lead. Jason Defelice got one in with just under 9 minutes left in the 2nd period to make it 3-1 RMU. Both sides had some chances late in the second, but the period would end with RMU still on top 3-1. 

RMU would allow an early goal to allow Alabama to make it a one goal game, but that was all they would allow. Richardson shut the door on the Crimson Tide and the defense cleared out the dangerous chances. When the final buzzer sounded, the score still read the same as it did with 16 minutes left in the game. Robert Morris wins it 3-2.

Game 2: RMU loses 4-3 (SO)

RMU changed tactics for their opening lineup this time around, allowing the freshman to get their opportunity. Freshman goalie Parker Rutherford got the start in net for RMU, his first collegiate start for the team. The only veteran in the opening lineup was Andrew Hachmeister. His defense partner was freshman Jeremy Jenkins. The forward line were all freshman as well, with Matthew Butson centering a line of Justin Adamski and Tyler Draper. Adamski and Draper both played together on the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite Triple A team before coming to RMU this year. Alabama would be the only ones to score in the first period, and the game went to intermission with the score 1-0

The second period saw RMU start to make some progress back into the game, but for each step forward there was also a set back. Last season's CHMA Rookie of the Year Nathan Mickey scored his first of the season in the second period. His goal was assisted by Hachmeister. However, the Crimson Tide also scored in the second period. Alabama carried a 2-1 lead into the final period of play. 

Knowing time is a valuable commodity, the Colonials wasted little time to get back into the game once the 3rd period started. Antoni Chirgott scored his 3rd of the season to tie the game at 2 only a couple minutes in. Steven Ralston netted his 2nd of the weekend to give the Colonials the 3-2 lead with over 15 minutes left in the 3rd. However, Alabama got a 4 on 4 goal with less than 4 minutes left to tie it. Overtime came and went with no winner decided, and the teams went into a shootout. Alabama won the shootout but RMU will still walk out with a point following a 4-3 shootout loss. 

Alexander Gagnon '21
Club Sport Information Director