Games 5-6
Robert Morris (2-2-0) vs. Wayne State (0-3-1)
Friday, October 26, 2007 ~ 7:35 p.m.
Saturday, October 27, 2007 - 7:35 p.m.
Pittsburgh, Pa. ~ RMU Island Sports Center (1,000)
On the Internet (live and archived) at: www.sports.yahoo.com
(Gero Von Dehn, play-by-play and Bob Kennedy color)
Opening Remarks: After starting the season, 2-0, for the first time in the program's history, Robert Morris lost both of its meetings last weekend against #13 Wisconsin. This weekend the Colonials open CHA action against Wayne State. This will mark the second and third meetings between the two clubs so far in the 2007-08 season.
Quick State of the Night: After starting the 2007-08 season on fire on special teams, converting at 21.4% on the power-play and killing 10-of-11 penalties. That changed last weekend as RMU allowed eight power-play goals against, versus Wisconsin and going 1-for-16 on the power-play. The Colonials power-play percentage no sits at 13.3%, while they have killed 19-of-28 penalties, that's 67.8%.
The Series: The Colonials snapped a four-game losing streak two-weeks ago on Oct. 13, 2007, at the Nye Frontier Classic, against Wayne State. RMU went 0-4 against the Warriors last season, including a sweep the last weekend of the season, while the Colonials were battling for the top spot in the CHA tournament. Robert Morris won the game on Oct. 13, 4-1, clinching the Nye Frontier Classic. Jason Towsley tallied three-points, including one goal and two assists, on his way to being named CHA and InsideCollegeHockey.com Player of the Week. Christian Boucher played two and a half periods stopping all 19 shots he faced.
Last Time Out - Wisconsin: Robert Morris closed out its weekend series with Wisconsin (3-1) with an, 8-2, loss Saturday night. The Colonials are now, 2-2, on the season.
For the second straight night the Colonials fell down, 3-0, early in the third period. Blake Geoffrion and Patrick Johnson tallied goals for the Badgers, with a Kyle Turris power-play goal sandwiched in between. Sophomore J.C. Velasquez was able to get RMU on the board before the first period ended when he scored with 3:37 left in the period. Senior Andrew Bonello and freshman Denny Urban picked up assists on the play.
The Colonials got to within one goal when last season's leading scorer, senior Ryan Cruthers, scored his second goal of the season just 41 second into the second period, making the score 3-2. Chris Margott and Bonello each grabbed an assist on the play.
That would be all the closer RMU would get, as Wisconsin would score five unanswered goals, including three power-play goals, giving the Badgers an 8-2 victory.
Wes Russell took the loss in his first career start for the Colonials, making 41 saves on 49 shots, while Scott Gudmandson tallied the victory, by stopping 25-of-27 shots he faced.
Last Time Out - Wisconsin: Robert Morris fell to Wisconsin, 7-2, Friday evening. With the loss, the Colonials are now, 2-1, on the season.
The Badgers jumped out to a quick first period, 3-0, lead with the first of their four power-play goals. Ben Street scored first for Wisconsin just 29 seconds into the period, Kyle Klubertanz scored 6 minutes later and Ryan McDonagh capped off the first period with a goal at the 12:57 mark of the first session.
Junior Jason Towsley got the Colonials on the board with his third goal of the season 13:43 into the second period. Freshman Nathan Longpre picked up an assist on the play. Wisconsin added another power-play goal inside the dreaded one minute mark, with three seconds left in the period, giving them a 4-1 lead at intermission.
Wisconsin picked up two more power-play goals to open the third session by Kyle Turris and Blake Geoffrion, before Street added his second goal of the game, making the score 7-1 with just over eight minutes remaining in the final frame. Senior Sean Berkstresser added a power-play goal for the Colonials with just under 1:30 left in the game, while Longpre and Jake Sparks grabbed the assists on the goal.
Senior Christian Boucher was credited with his first loss of the season, allowing four goals in two-periods of work. Boucher made 22 saves on 26 shots. Sophomore Wes Russell made nine saves on 12 shots during the third period. Shane Connelly stopped 24-of-26 saves tallying the win.
Taking on the Ranks: RMU is 4-7 all-time against ranked opponents. The most impressive number however comes against teams ranked in the top-8. The Colonials are 2-1 when facing a team ranked in the top-8, including victories over #2 Notre Dame on Jan. 27, 2007 and #8 Boston University on October 12, 2007.
Special Teams Are the Key: Through the first four games of the 2007-08 season the Colonials are converting at 13.3% on the power-play, while killing off 67.8% (19-of-28) of their penalties.
Keeping It Close: After three plus seasons, the Colonials have played in 31 one-goal games. They are 14-18 in those games. Robert Morris finished the 2006-07 season with nine one-goal games and were 4-5 in those contests.
Splitting the CHA: The Colonials played 10 weekend series' against CHA foes last season, coming away with only two sweeps, against Niagara and Bemidji State in consecutive weekends.
Home, Sweet, Home: The RMU Island Sports Center has become an unwelcome destination for visiting teams as the Colonials went 7-5-1 last season and are 17-21-6 overall and 15-12-3 over the last two-seasons. The Colonials will play 15 home games this season, including exhibition contests against Ryerson and the USA U-18 Team.
Friday, Friday, Friday: The only day of the week last season RMU held a winning record on was Friday. The Colonials finished with an overall record of 6-5-1 on Friday's. So far in the 2007-08 season, RMU is 1-1 on Friday, defeating Boston University.
