Pittsburgh, Pa. - On Sunday afternoon at Clearview Arena, the Robert Morris University men's ice hockey team once again faced off against the American International Yellow Jackets. The Colonials, fresh off their 5-2 win on Saturday night, struggled to get back into the groove early and never fully recovered as they fought to a 1-1 deadlock with AIC.
From the opening puck drop, the Yellow Jackets outshot the Colonials tallying 11 shots in the first period while RMU managed to get off only five. Junior goaltender Wes Russell (Springfield, Ill. / Quinnipiac) made his 16th start between the pipes, coming up with all 11 saves in the first twenty minutes of play.
The second period continued with the familiar quiet tone. However, with four minutes remaining in the second, the Colonials continued their 17-game streak of allowing the opposing team to light the lamp first. Sophomore forward Tom Mele struck for the first time of the afternoon with his goal to put AIC up 1-0. Assisting on the score was sophomore Greg Vantrano and senior Matt Woodward.
The Colonials continued to fight to get back on track early in third. But, their luck was about to change. On RMU's fourth power play opportunity of the contest, freshman Josh Jones (Scenery Hill, Pa. / Hawkesbury Hawks) and sophomore Kyle Burton (Calgary, Alberta / Calgary Canucks) found Scott Kobialko (Spruce Grove, Ontario / Camrose Kodiaks) on the right side of the net to slip it past AIC's Dan Ramirez. The goal was Kobialko's third of the season.
Both teams would continue to play solid defense through the end of the third. The Colonials killed off the Yellow Jackets lone power play opportunity of the period by keeping them without a single shot in the two minute span.
Regulation play ended with one all deadlock, as both teams entered the overtime period hungry for the win. But, both squads would be unable to notch a final goal as the game concluded in a 1-1 tie.
Russell made 27 saves in goal while AIC's Ramirez picked up an impressive 35 saves. Robert Morris was one for four on the power play.
Robert Morris will return to conference play next weekend when they will travel to Alabama-Huntsville for its fifth conference matchup of the season. Earlier this season, the Colonials picked up a win and a tie when the Chargers paid a visit to the Island Sports Center. This Friday's contest is set for a 7:00 p.m. start while Saturday's game will face off at 3:00 p.m.
