Princeton, NJ - In a rare Monday evening game, the Robert Morris University men's ice hockey team took to the ice at Hobey Baker Memorial Rink to face the #9 Princeton University Tigers. Coming off an impressive victory against Quinnipiac on Saturday, the Colonials hoped to carry their momentum into the contest against the Tigers. Despite a strong effort, Robert Morris fell short as the Tigers edged the Colonials, 2-1.
Only 47 seconds into play, Lee Jubinville found himself all alone in the lower part of the slot and was able to rip home his fifth goal of the season. Brett Wilson and Dan Bartlett picked up the assists on Jubinville's score to take a 1-0 lead.
At 10:20 of the first period, senior Chris Margott (Thousand Oaks Calif. / Bay State Breakers) evened the game at one all only 17 seconds into the Colonial's first power play of the night. Sophomore Denny Urban (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Ohio Blue Jackets) continued his five-game scoring streak as he and sophomore Chris Kushneriuk (Ottawa, Ontario / Wayne State University) tallied assists on the goal. Kushneriuk's assist gave him his seventh point in just three games.
Also, Margott's goal extended the four-game power play scoring streak for Robert Morris.
Making his third start of the season, sophomore Jim Patterson (Kamloops, British Columbia / Canmore Eagles) looked solid between the pipes stopping 12 shots in the first period.
The Colonials and Tigers both saw power play opportunities early in the second period, but neither could manage to convert.
Finally, at 11:03 in the second, Brandan Kushniruk netted his fourth score of the 2008-09 season to break the deadlock, and give Princeton a 2-1 advantage. The goal, scored on the power play, was assisted by Brad Schroeder and Kevin Lohry.
Robert Morris only had one power play opportunity in the third period, and was held to just seven shots in the final twenty minutes.
Overall, the Tigers outshot the Colonials 46 to 22. RMU racked up eight penalties for 16 minutes and was one-for-five on the power play.
Patterson made 44 saves on the night, both a career high and season high number for the team. The team also blocked a total of 22 shots.
The Colonials (5-13-4 ; 1-3-2 CHA) will return home on Friday night to face the CHA's first place team, Bemidji State at 7:35 p.m. On Saturday, Robert Morris will face off against the Beavers in another 7:35 p.m. start. Both games will be played at the Robert Morris Island Sports Center.
