Old Bethpage, NY- The Colonials Roller Hockey team have won the ECRHA DII Regular Season title for the first time in program history following a 3-0 weekend to end the season. They defeated some of the division's strongest clubs en route to the honors. Three Colonials were also named to the ECRHA DII All Star Team and the league's all star event was held here as well.

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Forwards Jack Clendaniel and Cameron Zayn, along with freshman goalie TJ Caton were named all named ECRHA All Stars and competed in the all stars skills competition. The competition included a goalie competition, in which Caton made it to the finals. Here's one of his sensational stops to work his way to the finals

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Game 1: RMU defeats Northeastern 6-1

The Colonials (now 12-3-1) handily took care of Northeastern (now 9-7-0) 6-1 thanks to a four goal first period. Jesse Zayn opened the scoring on the powerplay (assisted by Alex Karol) to make it a 1-0 game early. A minute later, Jarrett Tomazich took the feed from Zach Bolotsky and buried it to double the lead.

A powerplay goal from Jack Clendaniel midway through the first made it 3-0 (assisted by Vince Passante and Cameron Zayn). Bolotsky added the Colonials final goal of the first to make it 4-0, with Clendaniel drawing the assist.

The second period saw Clendaniel net his 2^nd of the game on the powerplay for RMU's lone goal of the period. Northeastern got one in the period as well but it would be the only one they would get past goalie TJ Caton.

The final period saw Cameron Zayn score the Colonials to seal it (assisted by Jack Clendaniel). The win improved RMU to 10-3-1 at the time and 1-0 on the weekend.


Game 2: RMU defeats UMass 9-5

In a wild game for the Colonials offense, 4 players recorded multi-goal games for RMU including 1 player with a hat trick. Vince Passante and then Jesse Zayn on the powerplay helped create a first period 2-0 lead for RMU. They would take a 2-1 lead into the intermission.

RMU went to work in the 2^nd period, scoring 5 straight goals to open the game up to a 7-1 lead. Vince Passante led it off for his second of the game. Alex Karol then scored back to back goal a minute apart to make it a 5-1 game. Jack Clendaniel made it 6-1, and Jesse Zayn scored his 2^nd of the evening to round the offensive run.

UMass got 2 goals back before the end of the period, but RMU still led 7-3 entering the final period. In the 3^rd, Jesse Zayn scored 38 seconds in to complete the hat trick. Clendaniel added his 2^nd of the night and 4^th of the weekend 3 minutes later. UMass would score the final two goals of the game, but it wouldn't be enough as RMU won 9-5.

With RMU's (12-3-1) win over UMass (11-5-0), RMU clinched the regular season title with a game to go.


Game 3: RMU edges Stony Brook 3-2

With the regular season championship won, the team had to regroup the next morning for a tough match against Stony Brook. RMU was able to enact some revenge, as Stony Brook had beat them in their previous meeting this season.
Much of the first period went by with the score locked at zero's, until 39 seconds left in the period. Freshman defenseman Vince Passante netted his 12^th of the season to give the lead and momentum to RMU at the break.

RMU would double their lead midway through the period thanks to a goal from Jack Clendaniel (assisted by Connor McCabe). Clendaniel's team leading 26^th of the season and 5^th of the weekend made it 2-0 Robert Morris. Stony Brook scored just before the end of the period to make it 2-1 at the intermission.

In the final period, RMU allowed a powerplay goal that tied the game 2-2 early in the period. With a little over 6 minutes remaining in the tied game, Sean Lawrence buried a shot into the back of the net to give the Colonials a 3-2 lead (assisted by Connor McCabe). Goaltender TJ Caton shut the door from their and sealed the win.


End of Season Stats:

RMU now sits at 12-3-1 in ECRHA play and have clinched the regular season title. With the regular season done, several Colonials have put up some astounding numbers this season. Junior forward Jack Clendaniel finished with 26 goals, putting him 3^rd in the ECRHA DII and his 43 points put him 5^th in the league. His 11 powerplay goals is top of the league.

Forward Cameron Zayn has record 41 points this season, good for 7^th in the league. His 25 assists ranks 2^nd in the league and the highest single season total of his career at RMU. Freshman Vince Passante is the league leader of points by a freshman at 36 points. Additionally, he ranks 2^nd in the league in points by a defenseman.

Finally, freshman goaltender TJ Caton led the league in both wins (11) and shutouts (2). He was the only goaltender to record a shutout this season, and he had 2. His 11 win total also elevated him to be the only goaltender with a double digit win count. Backup goaltender Tyler Cerminara also finished 1^st in highest save percentage at 87.5%.

Alexander Gagnon '21
Club Sport Information Director