Pittsburgh, Pa. – Robert Morris scored four goals in the third period to rally for a 4-1 victory against the Canisius College hockey team on Friday night. The loss drops the Griffs to 11-17-3 on the season and 10-11-3 against Atlantic Hockey foes, while the Colonials improve to 13-14-4 and 13-7-4 in league play.
“The difference of the game tonight was the first six minutes of the third period,” said Canisius head coach Dave Smith. “I did not have our team ready to play like we did for the first 40 minutes and the last 14 minutes.”
Junior Braeden Rigney (Singhampton, Ontario) netted the lone goal for the Griffs.
Senior Tony Capobianco (Mississauga, Ontario) recorded 26 saves to anchor the Canisius defense on the night.
After a scoreless first period, Rigney netted the game’s first goal with 10:28 remaining in the second. On a rush, the junior knocked in his own rebound for his eighth tally of the season. Junior defender Logan Roe (Fort Myers, Fla.) and senior Ryan Bohrer (West St. Paul, Minn.) both registered assists on RIgney’s goal to give Canisius a 1-0 lead.
The Colonials answered with two goals early in the third period just 66 seconds apart. A loose puck in the Canisius zone was poked ahead to Tyson Wilson, who was behind the Canisius defense. Wilson finished his chance to tie the game at one just 35 seconds into the third.
Jeff Jones then quickly gave Robert Morris the lead just 66 seconds later. Jones forced a Canisius turnover in its own zone and then beat Capobianco 1-on-1 for the 2-1 lead with 18:19 remaining.
Robert Morris was then able to extend its lead with its third goal in less than six minutes of action. Zac Lynch finished off a 3-on-2 rush with 13:55 remaining in the period to give the Colonials a 3-1 advantage.
The Colonials finished their strong final frame with an empty-net goal to earn the 4-1 victory.
Canisius finished the game with a 36-30 advantage in shots, while neither team was able to capitalize on two power-play chances.
Terry Shafer recorded 35 saves in net to earn the victory for the Colonials.
