Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. ? On Friday evening, the Robert Morris University men's ice hockey team faced off against two-time national champion, Lake Superior State in an attempt to break its three game losing streak. Although the Colonials fought hard to rally late in the game, the Lakers were able to hold off RMU and take a 3-1 victory.
The Lakers wasted little time before they got on the board just two minutes into the contest. Freshman forward Fred Cassiani lit the lamp with his fourth score of the season when he knocked one past Colonial goalie, Wes Russell (Springfield, Ill. / Quinnipiac). Assists on the first goal came from senior forwards Josh Sim and Troy Schwab at the 2:17 mark of the first period.
Sim would tally his second point of the night and fourth of the season as he extended the Lake Superior State lead to two at 9:03 with a short-handed goal. The assist was credited to sophomore forward Will Action.
Robert Morris started the second period with a different tone, outshooting the Lakers 10-7 while holding them scoreless on three power play chances. The Colonials also played solid defensively as Russell looked strong in goal making seven saves.
The Colonials finally registered a goal 4:20 into the third period, snapping their scoring drought. Sophomore forward Scott Kobialko (Spruce Grove, Alberta / Camrose Kodiaks ) slapped the puck past LSSU's goaltender, Brian Mahoney-Wilson to cut the Laker's lead to just one with his breakaway score. Seniors Jake Obermyer (Chanhassen, Minn. / Tri-City Storm) and Jason Towsley (LaSalle, Ontario / Leamington Flyers) were given the assists.
RMU continued on an offensive attack impressively tying the shots at 34 all at the 17:14 mark of the third after being behind on shots by as many as 20 in the first period.
However the Colonial's rally attempt would come up short. With 40 seconds to go, Russell was pulled for an extra attacker. The Laker's Schwab put the puck in the empty net off a pass from Steven Kaunisto to end the game 3-1 in favor of Lake Superior State.
Robert Morris outshot Lake Superior State 21-3 in the third; however the overall shots finished even at 35 for the night. This is the first time this season when the Colonials have tied their opponents in shots.
Russell, now 2-6-2 in 10 starts, made 32 saves, his second highest save total of the 2008-09 season.
RMU (2-7-2 ; 1-0-1 CHA) and Lake Superior State will continue the two game series tomorrow night at Taffy Abel Arena. The game is slated for a 5:05 p.m. start.
