MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. – Despite getting a season-high 44 looks on net, Niagara hockey saw its four-game unbeaten streak snapped by Robert Morris as the Colonials secured a 5-0 victoryon Saturday evening at 84 Lumber Arena.
The Purple Eagles ran into the solid goaltender of RMU netminder Terry Shafer as Niagara saw each of its season-high 44 shots stymied by the sophomore goaltender. The loss drops the Purple Eagles to 10-16-4 overall, and 10-9-4 in Atlantic Hockey play, while the Colonials saw their record improve to 11-14-4 overall and 11-7-4 in league play.
“Terry Shafer was first start of the game, stopping all 44 of our shots,” head coach Dave Burkholder said. “Without a doubt he was the best player on the ice for both teams. I did like our level of competitiveness at times, but in the end there were some guys that let us down and didn’t punch the clock. They just didn’t play Niagara hockey. We had numerous great opportunities, but we couldn’t get one by Shafer and Robert Morris was opportunistic on their chances.”
Robert Morris came out firing in the opening minutes of game two, jumping out to a quick 1-0 lead 2:05 into the opening frame as Cody Wydo connected with Scott Jacklin from behind the net and the junior cashed in on his 10th of the season from the top of the slot.
The second period saw the Colonials extend their lead to three goals as Zac Lynch and Colin South each found the back of the net to give RMU a 3-0 advantage heading into the final period. At 8:04 into the second period Lynch gave the Colonials a two-goal cushion via assists from Wydo and Jacklin off a deflection in front of Niagara goaltender Jackson Teichroeb. With just under four minutes on the clock, South wristed a laser from just inside the blue line that beat Teichroeb high for his sixth of the year.
Brando Denham and David Friedmann added to RMU’s lead in the final 20 minutes of regulation to put the game away.
Teichroeb pushed aside 18 Robert Morris looks on net. The Purple Eagles went 0-for-6 on the power play, and killed all five RMU man-up opportunities.
Niagara plays its final home-and-home series of regular season against Mercyhurst on Friday, Feb. 21 and Saturday, Feb. 22 at 7:05 p.m. Friday’s game will take place at the Mercyhurst Ice Center, while Saturday’s contest is set for Dwyer Arena.
