Pittsburgh, Pa. - Although it was unbeaten on the road over the weekend, the Robert Morris University men's hockey team lost its foothold in a prominent national poll.

The Colonials (8-1-3, 6-1-3 AHC) fell one spot out of the top 20 in Monday's United States College Hockey Online (USCHO) poll, finishing behind No. 20 Providence. Previous to this week, RMU had been listed in three consecutive polls, establishing an all-time program best.

Published by the Associated Press, the USCHO poll consists of 50 voters, including coaches, beat writers and other sports professionals from across the country. Teams receive 20 points for a first-place vote, 19 for a second-place vote, and so on. Robert Morris received 96 points this week, 12 fewer than last week's total and 19 behind Providence.

One of three Division I teams with only one loss, Robert Morris improved to 3-0-2 away from home with a win and a tie at Atlantic Hockey Conference foe American International last weekend. The Colonials rallied from a two-goal third-period deficit to earn a 5-5 tie Friday night, then dominated play in Saturday afternoon's 6-0 triumph - RMU's largest margin of victory on the season.

The Colonials burst into the USCHO top 20 for the first time in two seasons on Nov. 3, grabbing the No. 18 ranking after sweeping RIT at home. They improved to 17th on Nov. 10 and dropped to 20th last week following a tie and an overtime loss against Air Force. 

In other relevant rankings, RMU is 23rd in the PairWise and 24th in the Ratings Percentage Index (RPI). PairWise attempts to mimic the NCAA's tournament selection process, while RPI is one of the metrics used by the NCAA to set the 16-team postseason field.

In the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine top 15 poll, RMU held steady with five points, tied with Merrimack and Providence for unofficial 19th.

Off to their best start in 11 years of Division I play, the Colonials lead the rest of Atlantic Hockey by five points with an off week coming up. They'll next take the ice on Dec. 5-6 against conference rival Sacred Heart at 84 Lumber Arena.

RMU has 10 home games remaining this regular season, plus the third annual Three Rivers Classic on Dec. 29-30 at Pittsburgh's Consol Energy Center. For full schedule and ticketing information, visit RMUColonials.com.

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