ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Robert Morris’ Eric Lynch scored with 7:16 on the clock in the first overtime to give the Colonials the 2-1 win over the Black Knights on Friday night at Blue Cross Arena in the Atlantic Hockey Semifinals.
Army (15-15-9) was led by Clint Carlisle, who tallied a power play goal in the first period with assists to C.J. Reuschlein and Brendan McGuire. The Black Knights were 1-for-5 on the man advantage and also did a great job limiting RMU’s chances on the power play, allowing just one chance. Robert Morris came into the game with a unit that has scored 46 goals in 38 games.
Parker Gahagen stopped a total of 34 shots in the game and had 14 in the third period when Robert Morris took over parts of the game. The Second Team All-Atlantic Hockey goaltender finishes the year with a 14-11-9 record. Gahagen’s career high for wins in a season was six coming into 2015-16.
The Colonials (24-10-4) got goals from Lynch and Eric Israel, while Lynch also assists on Israel’s goal for two points on the night. Terry Shafer earned the win in net with 39 saves, including eight in overtime, when Army provided most of the pressure.
Robert Morris kept giving the Black Knights chances on the power play and Army burned them on the third try. Carlisle coasted into the zone on the left side and beat Shafer on a snap shot that looked to have fooled the netminder. Army dominated parts of the period and led in shots at 12-5.
The Colonials cashed in on their only power play of the first two periods as Israel fired the puck from an odd angle. Gahagen had hugged the left post, but left just enough room on the far post and Israel hit the open net and the game was tied with 6:36 remaining in the second period.
The Black Knights also looked to have taken back the lead during second period with Joe Kozlak throwing the puck on net from the goal line. Shafer looked confused with the shot, but was able to cover the puck just before it would have crossed the line. The play was reviewed, however, the call was upheld as the puck did not fully cross the line.
Robert Morris continued the pressure into the third period and had a 14-11 shot advantage in the frame. The Black Knights took the Colonials’ best punch and kept going. Army had a golden chance in the final seconds with multiple chances during a scrum in front of Shafer, but couldn’t get good wood on it.
Army finishes the season with a 15-15-9 record, which is the highest total wins for the program since the 2007-08 season. Army also advanced to the Atlantic Hockey Semifinals that year as well.
Ice Shavings: This is the first meeting between Army and Robert Morris in the conference semifinals … it’s the second time the two have meet in the playoffs with the Colonials winning a best-of-three series in 2014 … Army played its 15th overtime game of the season … Gahagen finishes the Atlantic Hockey Tournament with only six goals allowed in six games … he made 30 or more saves in four of the six games … Carlisle finished the tournament with four points on a goal and three assists … Army saw a great group of seniors play their final game in a Black Knight uniform … Joe Kozlak, Christian Pomarico, Shane Hearn, Josh Roberts and Luke Jenkins wore the jersey for four years and help make an incredible run in their final year.
