The Robert Morris Colonials fell in the AHC title game for the third straight season and the second straight time at the hands of the Air Force Falcons. The final score of this matchup being 5-1. The Falcons took a commanding 3-0 lead early and from there was very little Robert Morris could do against the best goaltender in the nation in Billy Christopoulos and some of the best shot blockers in the nation.
Here’s a breakdown of all of today’s action from Rochester, NY.
Where is Francis Marotte?: The sophomore standout goaltender has had his ups and downs this season. But overall, Francis Marotte is a phenomenal goaltender who displays some of the best goaltending in the nation when he is on his game. Unfortunately for the Colonials, this was not Marotte’s night. Marotte was pulled five minutes into the second period after letting up his fourth goal of the night. It put the Colonials in a hole they were really unable to get out of for the rest of the game.
Air Force’s blue line defense: The Air Force defense was most definitely the MVP of this game. Once the Falcons took their 3-0 lead in the first period, the effectively shut down any chance of a comeback for RMU. They kept players like Alex Tonge, Luke Lynch and Brady Ferguson from getting any really open scoring chances by making contact with the puck carrier just as they were about to cross the blue line.
Robert Morris looked out of rhythm and really lost for most of this game. Even when the team would get power play opportunities, the Falcons shot-blocking ability made it hard for RMU to get a shot off even with a one-man advantage. No team has scored more than three goals on AF since Dec. 30 of this season and it certainly showed why tonight.
Scoring off turnovers: While Marotte’s night wasn’t anything to be proud of, his defense certainly didn’t do much to help him out on some of those goals. Two of the five Falcons goals came off of turnovers on the defensive side of the puck for RMU.
It seemed like the fast and physical style of play from Air Force disrupted the Colonials on both sides of the ice. Give credit to the Falcons because they overwhelmed the Colonials in every facet of this game.
Christopoulos, The Colonials kryptonite: The Air Force goaltender was named the AHC Tournament MVP for a reason, he has been absolutely sensational. And even more so against the Colonials. In three games against the Colonials this season, Christopoulos has let up just three goals and recorded one shutout. His ability to really control play alongside his incredible shot-blocking defense made scoring just one goal a truly incredible feat for RMU. Robert Morris knew if they wanted to win this one that they were going to have to keep it close and ultimately they were just unable to do so.
