On a day meant to be a celebration, the RMU men’s hockey team lost its opener 3-0 to the Bowling Green Falcons.

Despite the scoreline, head coach Derek Schooley still said today was a win.

“Win or lose, we had already won,” Coach Schooley said. “It’s good to be back, it’s good to compete. It’s good to feel the emotion of the game. Obviously, I’d like it to be on the other side, but, I thought for a young team that hadn’t played together, minus the first period, that we figured out how to play at a higher level.”

Schooley said this wasn’t a ‘relaunch’ or expansion-type’ team and got better after the two quick goals.

“We just have to find ways to play together more and be more connected. That was one of my messages, we need to be harder in all situations. We couldn’t keep giving up 20 shots in both periods. It also helps to remember that we hadn’t played together. Even the guys that have played here before haven’t played games in two years. Think about that. Cameron Hebert and Gavin Gulash have a pretty good heart and are physical, and they haven’t played a game in two years.”

SLOW START, BUT STRONG FINISH

Bowling Green took a grasp of the game early. The Falcons jumped on the scoreboard thanks to a Spencer Kersten tally less than a minute in. The Falcons doubled their lead with a power play goal by Dalton Norris.

“You got to find a way to manufacture goals,” Coach Schooley said. “To score goals, you gotta pay the price. Everybody’s trying to figure out how to score goals at this point in the year because everybody’s playing. We’ve gotta figure out a way to get some goals.”

MISSED OPPORTUNITIES

The Colonials had many missed opportunities, including hitting the post three times, and had as many as four chances on the power play with no conversions.

“Our power play needs to be way better,” Coach Schooley said. “At times, we looked like we hadn’t played together, but that can be expected. I thought our penalty kill was bad but then it got better. We gave them an edge across the block. I think it’s more of just the experience of being played hard.”

VELTRI’S BIG NIGHT

Despite the scoreboard, graduate senior goaltender, Chad Veltri had 40 saves in the loss in his Colonial debut.

“I try not to look at those things,” Veltri said. “I think you just want to win as a team player. But, it makes me feel good about my game moving forward. I think confidence is really the biggest thing as a goalie. So, I just want to keep fighting and give my team a chance to win every single night.”

“I thought he was good,” Coach Schooley said. “I thought he gave us a chance to win.”

The Colonials will travel to Bowling Green tomorrow at 5 p.m.