The Robert Morris University NCAA men’s hockey team earned three out of four points in their weekend series against fellow Atlantic Hockey Association (AHA) team, Army.
Friday’s game featured a 5-2 RMU victory with five different goal scorers, and nine Colonials recording points. This was also the Colonials first-ever win over Army.
Senior forward Nick Chiavetta scored the first goal of the game with the lone assist going to freshman forward, Scott Jacklin at 9:23 of the first period. Army would answer back with a goal of their own just 55 seconds later with a goal from Mac Lalor. RMU closed out the scoring in the first period with a power play goal by freshman forward, Cody Cartier, with just 1:11 left in the first to make it 2-1 RMU heading into the first intermission.
The second period proved to be a big period for the Colonials. They were able to score three goals in just 3:52. Freshman forward, Cody Wydo started off the string of three goals for the Colonials when he scored the eventual game winner at 11:04. Army was able to pull within one with a goal at the 12:33 mark, but from there on out, it was all Colonials on the score sheet.
Jacklin recorded the Colonials fourth goal at 13:49 and 1:07 later, senior forward, Cody Crichton scored the final goal of the game making it 5-2 Colonials.
Senior goaltender, Brooks Ostergard, earned his second-straight win for the Colonials, making 36 saves in the Colonials 5-2 victory.
Head coach Derek Schooley was happy with the way his team played. “I thought we played a complete hockey game. I think from the start of the game we played with a lot of energy and a lot of enthusiasm,” stated Schooley.
Saturday’s game ended in a 3-3 tie that also saw goals from three different Colonials. This time around, Army opened the scoring with a goal from Danny Colvin just 1:29 into the game. RMU tied it up at 9:21 with a goal from sophomore forward, Colin South on the power play. Army scored a power play goal at 17:01 to go ahead in the game 2-1. With just 15 seconds left in the first, Jacklin scored his second goal of the weekend to tie the game 2-2.
Just 2:52 into the third period Army took the 3-2 lead, but the Colonials answered back to tie the game 3-3 with a goal from Crichton at 3:40 of the third.
Both teams had chances to take the lead, but both goalies stood their ground and stopped everything that came their way. Ostergard ended the night making 47 saves and is now 2-4-1 on the season.
According to South, getting three out of four points against Army was huge for the Colonials. “It felt great to earn three points against army this weekend,” explained South. “Especially because they were three points that our team desperately needed in order to climb up the standings in Atlantic Hockey.”
The Colonials will continue conference when they travel to Sacred Heart next weekend for games on Friday, December 2 at 7:05pm, and Saturday, December 3 at 4:00pm.
