Big Rapids, Mich. - The Robert Morris University men's hockey team returned to action late Saturday afternoon against the Bulldogs of Ferris State in their second match up of the two game series. After a high scoring affair on Friday evening, the second game of the weekend started at a much slower pace. However, the Bulldog offense found their stride midway through the second period as they downed the Colonials, 4-1.
After Saturday's defeat, RMU moves to 1-3-0 overall and 0-0-0 in CHA action.
In the first period, neither team managed to light the lamp as Robert Morris fired eight shots on goal and went zero-for-three on the power play. Ferris State recorded 13 shots in the first and went scoreless on two power play chances.
Finally at 8:22 of the second, Ferris State took a 1-0 advantage with Todd Pockoke's second tally of the season. But just 23 seconds later, Scott Kobialko (Spruce Grove, Alberta / Camrose Kodiaks) evened the score at one. Freshmen Zach Hervato (Stittsville, Ontario / Smiths Falls Bears) and Brendan Jamison (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Jersey Hitmen) both picked up their first career points with the assists.
Just over a minute later, the Bulldogs took back their lead thanks to a Justin Menke score at 9:57 of the second period. The goals kept on coming for Ferris State as they added a third at even strength from Matthew Kirzinger at the 12:32 mark.
The third period returned to the slow and scoreless pace of the first, but Ferris State managed an empty net goal with 22 seconds left in regulation to secure the 4-1 victory.
The Bulldogs outshot the Colonials 52 to 19 as RMU struggled to convert on the power play, going zero-for-five on the day.
In his first ever Colonial appearance and start, freshman goaltender Eric Levine (Wheeling, Ill. / Pembroke Lumber Kings) recorded an impressive 48 saves. His feat of 48 stops is the second best single game performance by a Robert Morris goalie. Alumni Christian Boucher set the record with a 50-save outing against Bemidji State in 2006.
On Friday, Oct. 30 the Colonials will open their 2009 home slate when future Atlantic Hockey foe, Quinnipiac, visits the RMU Island Sports Center for a 7:05 p.m. faceoff. The teams will continue the series again Saturday night at 7:05 p.m.
