Huntsville, Ala. ? The Robert Morris University Colonials resumed CHA action Friday evening when they traveled to the Von Braun Center to take on the University of Alabama-Huntsville Chargers. The Chargers wasted no time getting on the board as they jumped to a quick 1-0 lead less than two minutes into the contest. Despite a late surge, RMU struggled to bounce back and dropped the 5-2 decision.
Only 1:47 into the game, sophomore forward Andrew Coburn struck for the first time of the night and third time in 2008-09 to put the Chargers up by one. The assist on the UAH goal was awarded to sophomore Neil Ruffini, his third of the year.
Late in the first period, the Colonials found themselves in trouble after the team picked up three penalties in under two minutes. Faced with a five-on-three situation for the last three minutes of the first period, the Chargers were able to convert, and tack on their second goal of the contest. At 18:39, senior forward Matt Sweezey notched his fifth of the season off of helpers from senior Scott Kalinchuk and freshman Cody Campbell to extend UAH's lead to two.
Junior goalie, Wes Russell (Springfield, Ill. / Quinnipiac), made his 10th consecutive start in goal, picking up eight saves in the first period.
Six minutes into the third period, the UAH offense continued their assault lighting the lamp for the third time at 6:38. Campbell tallied his second point of the night at even strength when he knocked a hard shot past Russell off of a pass from Brandon Rosko. The secondary assist was given to Joe Federoff.
Finally at 13:06 in the third, the Colonial offense broke through with sophomore Kyle Burton's (Calgary, Alberta / Calgary Canucks) fourth goal of the year to put the Colonials on the board for the first time of the night. Assists on the goal were awarded to sophomores Denny Urban (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Ohio Blue Jackets) and Nathan Longpre (Peterborough, Ontario / Mahoning Valley Phantoms).
Just 20 seconds later, RMU pulled within one when Stefan Lachapelle (Waterloo, Ontario / Hawkesbury Hawks) tallied his second goal of the year to make the score 3-2, still in favor of the Chargers. Lachapelle's second score of the season was assisted by Urban and freshman Ron Cramer (New Wilmington, Pa / Indiana Ice)
Faced with a five on three situation for the third time of the night, the Colonials fought hard to stay within one. However just after the first penalty expired, UAH added on another score to put the lead back to two. Sweezey tallied his second of the night at 18:27 off of assists from Roshko and Kalinchuk.
The Chargers wasted little time as they put up a fifth goal just over minute later. Senior forward Josh Murray netted his third of the season with his shorthanded goal scored with less than 30 seconds remaining in the game. The assist on the goal went to Sweezey, giving him his third point of the game.
Russell made 28 saves in three periods of play. Robert Morris was one for nine on the power play.
The Colonials (4-11-3 ; 1-3-1 CHA) will play the Chargers again tomorrow at the Von Braun Center in a matinee feature scheduled for a 3:00 p.m. start.
