Pittsburgh, Pa. - Robert Morris University junior forward Zac Lynch might want to take it easy on the strength training, because he's been carrying plenty of hardware lately.

One day after being honored as the Atlantic Hockey Conference's Travel Team USA Player of the Week, Lynch received the league's Player of the Month award on Tuesday afternoon. The 6-foot, 190-pound native of Shaler, Pa., was critical to RMU's 7-2-1 record in January, as he churned out 17 points (8g, 9a) in 10 games.

Lynch finished January on a six-game scoring streak, which he will carry over into this weekend's home series against conference foe Canisius. He has scored at least two points in each game of that run, helping the first-place Colonials (19-5-4, 16-3-3 AHC) pile up a program-best six consecutive wins.

Twice in the past month, Lynch has matched his career single-game highs for goals (two) and points (four). His 17 January points didn't just lead the entire conference, they also ranked fourth in all of Division I hockey. Since the New Year began, Lynch's four power-play goals and plus-12 rating are both tops in the nation.

After posting 47 points (19g, 28a) in 42 games as a sophomore, Lynch has increased his scoring pace in his junior season. The right-handed shooter has 34 points (15g, 19a) in 28 games, trailing only Hobey Baker Award nominee Wydo on the Colonials' scoring list. Lynch ranks sixth in program history with 95 career points (39g, 56a), a total that's third among current RMU players. Seniors Wydo (145 points) and Scott Jacklin (101) - Lynch's regular linemates - are the only present-day Colonials ahead of him.

Lynch is the third Colonial to win AHC Player of the Month this season, joining Wydo (October) and Daniel Leavens (December). Dating back to last March, RMU has claimed this prize four of the past five times its been handed out. In addition, sophomore Dalton Izyk won Goalie of the Month in October.

The 19th-ranked Colonials have built an eight-point lead atop the conference standings with six games to go in the regular season. RMU will host second-place Canisius (12-8-6, 11-4-5 AHC) this Friday and Saturday at 84 Lumber Arena on Neville Island, hoping to skate closer to its first regular-season league title.

For information on ticket availability and pricing, visit RMUColonials.com or call 412-397-4949.

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