Robert Morris Colonials (2-5-2 ; 1-0-1 CHA)
vs.
Ohio State Buckeyes (4-5-1 ; 3-4-1 CCHA)
Friday, Nov. 14, 2008 at 8:00 p.m.
Mellon Arena - Pittsburgh, Pa.
Game Notes (PDF)
Top Story: The Colonials will play the Ohio State University Buckeyes for the third time in program history tonight. Robert Morris owns the series with a 1-0-1 record. Last year in the Showcase, RMU fought Ohio State to a 5-5 tie in an overtime thriller in front of a crowd of 4,301, setting a new home attendance record for the Colonials. In the second half of the series, Robert Morris defeated Ohio State, 4-3, at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio. “ Our players are excited about the opportunity to play Ohio State at Mellon Arena," said head coach Derek Schooley. "This is a highlight not only for our student athletes but for Robert Morris University. The support that Mellon Arena, Pittsburgh Youth Hockey and the Pittsburgh Penguins have shown this event has been top notch. Ohio State has been playing very well lately as they swept Michigan State last weekend and this should be a fun hockey game to be involved in as a player, coach or college hockey fan.”
Opening Remarks on 2008-09 Season: The Robert Morris University men's ice hockey team graduated 14 seniors in the Class of 2008. Since the completion of the 2007-08 season, ten Colonials have signed professional contracts with various AHL, CHL and ECHL franchises. The current Colonial roster features 15 newcomers - 12 freshmen and three transfers. This year's squad has only eight upperclassmen as 21 players on the roster hold freshmen or sophomore status.
Home Sweet Home: In both two-game series that Robert Morris has hosted at home this year, the team has yet to be beaten. Against Ferris State, the Colonials defeated the Bulldogs on Friday night and tied them on Saturday. When playing CHA foe Alabama-Huntsville , the Colonials came from behind to skate to a 4-4 deadlock on Friday and rallied to win 3-2 on Saturday.
First Blood: So far this season, Robert Morris has yet to score the first goal in any contest. The Colonials have been outscored 33-21 in the first nine games and outscored 5-11 in the first period. However, Robert Morris did not allow a single goal in the first period in both games against St. Cloud State
Scouting the Buckeyes: Last weekend while playing in Columbus, Ohio at Value City Arena, Ohio State swept CCHA rival #11 Michigan State in a two-game series. In game one, the Buckeyes shut out the Spartans, 3-0, and in game two, they picked up their second victory by a 3-1 margin. For their efforts , OSU netminder Dustin Carlson was named CCHA Goalie of the Week while freshman forward Zac Dalphe earned CCHA Rookie of the Week honors. Dalphe is a second round draft pick of the Calgary Flames and is currently the Buckeyes leading scorer with six goals and nine points.
Players to Watch: The Ohio State team features only three seniors and two juniors, but seven players on the roster are NHL Draft picks. Behind scoring leader Dalphe, is senior forward Corey Elkins who has tallied four goals and four assists. Three players on the team: Peter Boyd, John Albert and Hunter Bishop are tied with sevens points each. All three goalies on the OSU roster have made a start this season, but Carlson has seen the most minutes. He owns a 3-2-0 record in 2008.
Welcome to the 100 Point Club: On Friday, October 31, 2008, senior Chris Margott picked up his 100th career point as he scored RMU's first goal against Alabama-Huntsville. This makes him only the second player in RMU hockey history to accomplish such a feat. He went on to total four point in the series, recording three goals and one assist.
Last Weekend vs. St. Cloud State Huskies: Over the weekend, Robert Morris dropped a pair of games at St. Cloud State at the National Hockey Center in St. Cloud, Minnesota. On Friday, the Huskies downed the Colonials by a score of 4-0. On Saturday, RMU once again had a difficult time keeping up with a quick St. Cloud State squad as they dropped a 7-1 decision. The Colonials lone goal of the weekend was scored by sophomore Brock Meadows and assisted by sophomore Scott Kobialko and freshman Trevor Lewis. In the series, the Colonials picked up a season high 14 penalties for a total of 23 minutes.
Against the CCHA: The Colonials are 4-7-2 all-time against CCHA teams. In the opening home series of 2008-09, RMU beat and tied Ferris State. The Colonials tied Ohio State, 5-5, and defeated Ohio State, 4-3, in their only meetings against a CCHA team last season. Robert Morris split their series with nationally ranked Notre Dame during the 2006-07 season, before dropping a pair of games to Miami (Ohio).
