Pittsburgh, Pa. - The Robert Morris University men's hockey team, under fifth-year head coach Derek Schooley, opened the home season at the Island Sports Center Friday night against the Ferris State Bulldogs. From the opening puck drop, both teams showcased an aggressive style of play. However, the Colonials were able to outlast the Bulldogs and pick up their first victory of the 2008-09 season.
Ferris State took a 1-0 lead eight minutes into the first period when Chad Billins found Justin Lewandowski down ice to create a break away on the first power play of the night.
Two minutes later, Ferris State was called for a high sticking penalty giving Robert Morris their first power play opportunity. Senior Matt Krug (Livonia, Mich. / Wayne State Univ.), assisted by Denny Urban (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Ohio Blue Jackets) and Chris Margott (Thousand Oaks, Ca. / Bay State Breakers), tied the game at one with a hard shot above the shoulder of Ferris State's goaltender, Pat Nagle.
The Bulldogs struck for the second time with just under three minutes remaining in the first period. Scott Wietecha fired a shot that deflected off a Robert Morris defender's skate and into the net making the score, 2-1, in favor of the Bulldogs.
The Colonials continued to fight back in the start of the second, picking up five shots in the first six minutes. At the 11:36 mark, sophomore Nathan Longpre (Peterborough, Ontario / Mahoning Valley Phantoms) took a Ferris State turnover behind the net and wrapped around behind a diving Ferris State's goalie Nagle to tie the game at two apiece.
The third period got off to a slow start, as Robert Morris came up empty handed on their first two power play opportunities. But the third time was the charm for the Colonials when Urban passed to Longpre to tally the score off a deflection behind the Bulldog goaltender at 10:05.
Ferris State continued to fire off shots and finally broke through with 6:55 left in the third with a Lewandowski goal, giving him his second goal of the night to tie the game at 3-3.
Robert Morris fired right back 90 seconds later when Krug scored the game winner which was his second goal of the night. He picked up a loose puck deep in the Bulldog faceoff circle and wrist it off a Bulldog defender as it slipped behind Nagle to give the Colonials a 4-3 led. Helpers on the goal were credited to sophomore Kyle Burton (Calgary, Alberta / Calgary Canucks) and sophomore Chris Kushneriuk (Ottawa, Ontario / Wayne State Univ.).
The Colonials continued thier offensive attack and picked up a fifth goal when James Lyle (Napean, Ontario / Smiths Falls Bears) and Urban found Margott in front of the net for his third point and first goal of the night with just over one minute remaining in the game.
Thirty seconds later Krug lit the lamp for the third time of the night, tallying his first career hat trick as he brought the Robert Morris total to six. Margott and Burton picked up the assists.
Russell made 20 saves and the Colonials picked up all three stars of the game. Krug was named the first star with three goals, Margott second star with one goal and three assists and Longpre was given third star honors for his two goals and one assist.
Schooley's Colonials will face off against Ferris State again tomorrow night at 7:35 p.m. at the Island Sports Center.
