MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. – Robert Morris scored three goals in the final period to break a scoreless tie as the Colonials ended Army’s unbeaten streak at six games by handing the Black Knights a 3-0 loss on Saturday night.
Army (10-12-7, 6-10-7 AHA) salvages a split on the road at Robert Morris and remains in eighth-place in Atlantic Hockey as Sacred Heart had the weekend off. The Pioneers are two points behind the Black Knight in the race to host a playoff series.
Parker Gahagen provided another great performance for his team with 42 saves, which was a season-high for the netminder. He allowed two of the three goals on the night as the third was an empty netter. He continues to put up good numbers as he hasn’t given up more than two goals in his last eight starts.
Robert Morris (18-8-4, 14-5-4 AHA) found the net in the third with two goals in a span of less than two minutes. The Colonials tacked on an empty-netter in the final two minutes to earn the 3-0 win. Greg Gibson scored two of the three goals and now has 22 on the year to lead Atlantic Hockey. Timmy Moore tallied his second of the year, which gave the home team a 2-0 advantage. Terry Shafer stopped all 37 shots to record his fourth shutout of the season.
The two teams played over 48 minutes of scoreless hockey until Gibson gave the Colonials the 1-0 lead with 12:21 remaining in regulation. The Colonials broke into the zone and Chase Golightly slipped a pass to Gibson and he didn’t miss the opportunity as he made it 1-0 for the Colonials.
Robert Morris added to its lead just 1:14 after Gibson’s tally as Moore put home his second of the year. Daniel Leavens put a shot on net that Gahagen stopped, but he couldn’t control the rebound and Moore was there for the cleanup and the 2-0 advantage.
The game was out of reach for the Black Knights after Gibson tallied his second of the night with 1:38 left in the game. Army had pulled Gahagen for the extra skater and had offensive possession. The Black Knights had a shot blocked in the slot and the puck came to Gibson. He fired it down the ice and scored from around 190 feet from the Army net to give the Colonials the 3-0 win.
Robert Morris finished the game with 46 shots to Army’s 37. Both teams were 0-for-4 on the man advantage and faceoffs won were just about even at 44-43 in favor of the Colonials.
The Black Knights head back to Tate Rink next weekend for a pair of games against Mercyhurst.
Army will play three of its final four games of the regular season on home ice.
Tickets are still available for both matchups and can be purchased online, by calling the ticket office at 1-877-TIX-ARMY or in person at Gate 3 of Michie Stadium.
Ice Shavings: This was the 17th meeting between Army and Robert Morris since the series started in 2011 … Army’s longest unbeaten streak since 2007-08 was snapped at six games (seven when including RMC) … this was the fourth and final regular season meeting this season … Robert Morris leads the series at 9-4-4 … Gahagen made his 24th start of the season and 59th of his career … his 42 saves were the most this season after he had 41 against Robert Morris in the first matchup of the season between the two teams … first shutout for RMU against Army since Oct. 24, 2014 … It was Robert Morris’ sixth win at home against Army in the series … the Black Knights remain in eight place and two points clear of Sacred Heart to host a playoff series … Bentley sits one point ahead of Army for seventh after the Falcons lost to Canisius tonight … Canisius is three points clear of Bentley for sixth.
