ROBERT MORRIS DOWNS BLACK KNIGHTS
Colonials Blank Black Knights
WEST POINT, N.Y. – After a scoreless first period, Robert Morris netted two goals in the second frame and downed the Army hockey team, 3-0, on Friday night at Tate Rink.
The Black Knights (2-3-0, 2-3-0 AHA) saw Parker Gahagen make 38 saves between the pipes to lead the way. Army had its chances on the power play with five opportunities, but couldn’t find the net.
The Colonials (5-0-0, 3-0-0 AHA) remained undefeated with Matt Cope tallying two points on a shorthanded goal and an assist, both coming in the second period. Dalton Izyk pushed aside 36 shots to earn the shutout, with 14 coming in the opening period.
“It was a 2-0 hockey game going into the third and we were still in a good spot,” head coach Brian Riley said. “Parker had been playing well for us, certainly you have to score at least one to give yourself a chance. I’ve got to give their guy in goal a lot of credit. He made some timely saves.”
The first period featured a lot of action without a goal being scored. The teams combined for 30 shots on goal and both netminders were able to keep the puck out of the net. Army had great puck movement on one of its power play opportunities, but couldn’t find an opening. Gahagen stood tall late in the frame recording back-to-back stops with Robert Morris knocking on the doorstep.
Robert Morris took the first lead of the game 1:40 into the second frame with a shorthanded goal from Cope. Army tried to keep the puck in the zone at the blueline and Cope blocked the re-entry bid. The puck went off the side boards and Cope sidestepped the Army defender. He skated in all alone against Gahagen and roofed it for the 1-0 advantage.
Mann gave the Colonials a 2-0 lead with 7:36 left in the middle period with his first of the season. He fired a shot that a defender blocked, but unfortunately for the Black Knights, the puck came right back to Mann. He wound up and sniped a shot from the outside and past Gahagen. Cope and Greg Gibson were given assists on the play.
Robert Morris added to its lead with 12:49 remaining in the game as Brady Ferguson scored his second of the season. Army was caught up ice and Zac Lynch spotted Ferguson at the blueline and he glided in alone on Gahagen and beat the netminder to close out the scoring at 3-0.
The two schools are back on the ice tomorrow night at Tate Rink for a 7:05 p.m. face-off.
To order your tickets, visit www.goARMYsports.com/tickets, call 1-877-TIX-ARMY or stop by the Army Ticket Office located at Gate 3 of Michie Stadium. Visit goARMYsports.com/tickets for more information.
ROBERT MORRIS 3, ARMY 0
RMU 0-2-1–3
ARMY 0-0-0–0
First Period:
None.
Second Period:
RMU – Cope (unassisted) 1:40 SHG.
RMU – Mann (Cope, Gibson) 12:24.
Third Period:
RMU – Ferguson (Lynch, Wydo) 7:11.
Shots: RMU 41 (16-18-7); Army 36 (14-9-13)
Saves: RMU 36 (Izyk, 59:54, 14-9-13; Empty, 0:06); Army 38 (Gahagen, 58:24, 16-16-6; Empty, 1:36)
Power Plays: RMU 1-4; Army, 0-5.
Penalties: RMU, 5-10; Army, 4-19.
Attendance: 1,142
