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Pittsburgh, Pa. – The Robert Morris University men's hockey team opened 2009 home action as they hosted #18 Quinnipiac at the RMU Island Sports Center on Friday night.  The Bobcats opened the first period with three quick goals and never looked back as they easily shut out the Colonials, 5-0.

Quinnipiac's Yuri Bouharevich opened the scoring at 3:04 of the first to give the Bobcats the early 1-0 lead.  They extended the advantage to 2-0 with Greg Holt's first of the night at the 10:46 mark.  Finally, the Bobcat's capped off their first period scoring spree with a third goal from Jean-Marc Beaudoin just 90 seconds later to take the three goal lead into the first intermission.

After the third Bobcat goal, sophomore netminder Brooks Ostergard (Chagrin Falls, Ohio / Bay State Breakers) was replaced in net by freshman Eric Levine (Wheeling,  Ill. / Pembroke Lumber Kings).

In the second period, the Colonials managed to hold Quinnipiac scoreless as they were edged on shots 10-9.  But, Robert Morris failed to get their own offense going as they came up empty handed on two power play opportunities late in the second.

Quinnipiac found its scoring rhythm again midway through the third period as Brett Dickinson netted a fourth Bobcat goal at 16:12.  Holt then followed up with a fifth score with just over nine minutes remaining in the contest.

Ostergard made six saves in the first 11:32 of the game, while Levine stopped 31 shots in his second Colonial appearance.

RMU was zero –for –three on the power play and was outshot, 42-20.

The Colonials (1-4-0 ; 0-0-0 CHA) will match up with the undefeated Bobcats again tomorrow night for the second game of the series.  The game is set for a 7:05 p.m. tilt.