NEVILLE TOWNSHIP– The Robert Morris men’s hockey team hosted the second of a back-to-back series against the Holy Cross Crusaders. After falling to the Crusaders the day before the Colonials overcame a 3-0 hole to take it to a shootout and tie 3-3.
The Crusaders dominated play throughout the first two periods, outshooting the Colonials 35-11 during that time. The Crusaders dominated play so much during the first two frames because of the seven penalties taken by the Colonials.
The Crusaders were able to capitalize twice out of the seven powerplays in the first two periods, putting the Colonials in a 3-0 hole. Before the end of the second, the Colonials would finally put pressure on the Crusader’s goalie, Jason Grande. This sustained pressure led to the Colonials’ first goal, as Tanner Klimpke put one home. Going into the third down 3-1 and being outplayed for most of the game Robert Morris head Coach Derek Schooley had this to say about how he got his team turned around.
“Play the same way that we played the last five minutes [of the second period]. Give ourselves a chance, and we did that”
There were three penalties in the first five minutes of the third period, one being a game misconduct. This was the second game misconduct for the Colonials this game. Trevor LeDonne and Rylee St. Onge were the Colonials who took the misconducts, having their nights end early.
Robert Morris would eventually get a powerplay of their own in the third and they would capitalize on it with a goal from Jackson Reineke. Then, just a few minutes later on another Colonial power play, Luke Johnson would tie the game for the Colonials. The Crusaders and the Colonials would take this tie into the overtime period.
Overtime was a match of who could hold the puck the longest as neither team wanted to take a chance with the puck. So, the teams headed to a shootout.
In the shootout, the lone goal came from Logan Ganie for the Colonials allowing Robert Morris to steal two points from the jaws of defeat.
The Colonials will face the Bentley Falcons at home on Oct. 27th at 7 p.m.
