Moon Township, Pa. - Robert Morris University men's ice hockey coach Derek Schooley and athletics director Craig Coleman have formally announced the schedule for the upcoming 2008-2009 season. Robert Morris' 34-game schedule will feature 14 home games, as the team will once again host the Pittsburgh College Hockey Showcase against Ohio State at Mellon Arena on November 14. Also, the Colonials will make their first appearance in the competitive Governors Cup hosted by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) and Union College in Albany, N.Y.
“This will be a very challenging schedule for a young and enthusiastic hockey team,” said Schooley. “Every weekend will be tough and we will be challenged to play at a high level every game. We are extremely excited about playing in the Governors Cup in Albany as well as our annual Pittsburgh College Hockey Showcase at Mellon arena against Ohio State.”
The Colonials will open their season with an exhibition game against Ryerson at the RMU Island Sports Center October 5. The Colonials will officially start their season off on the road when they will face the Warriors of Merrimack College, a member of the Hockey East conference.
Robert Morris' opening home weekend will be October 17 and 18 when Ferris State comes to town for a pair. The Colonials will then head to Albany, N.Y., for the fourth annual Governors Cup to take on Colgate in the first game of the tournament. They will face either RPI or Union College the next day as tournament play continues.
College Hockey America conference play will kick off Friday October 31, and Saturday November 1, when the Colonials host Alabama-Huntsville for two games both starting at 7:35 p.m. The month of November looks to be a challenging one for the Colonials as they play powerhouse St. Cloud State and three-time national champion Lake Superior State on the road. The only home ice the Colonials will see during the month of November is when Ohio State returns for the highly anticipated Pittsburgh College Hockey Showcase.
After Thanksgiving, Robert Morris will face conference rival Niagara four times in a home-and home series. Also during December, the Colonials will travel to Cleveland, Ohio for the second game in the series with Ohio State.
The month of January will feature three home series against American International and CHA conference members Alabama-Huntsville and Bemidji State. The Colonials will spend the rest of their time out east as they square off with Quinnipiac and Princeton.
Most of the Colonials conference games will be played in the month of February. Robert Morris will face Bemidji State and Niagara at home. On the road, the Colonials will once again take on Alabama-Huntsville and Niagara as the season draws to a close. The Colonials will finish off their demanding season in Minnesota with a two game weekend against conference foe Bemidji State.
