By Mike Prisuta
www.rmucolonials.com
Oct. 8, 2009 

Prisuta On Pucks Link

Pittsburgh, Pa. - Let the exhibition games begin.

How else can Robert Morris head coach Derek Schooley ascertain his Colonials' state of readiness as the preseason draws to a close?

"I just want to see our guys play in a game and get some experience and get back to being battle ready," Schooley said. "I think we have to compete and play hard and see where we are as far as our systems and our team, and make adjustments from there."

This much he already knows: junior center Nathan Longpre and junior defenseman Denny Urban will lead the charge in 2009-10.

"They're kind of our catalysts," Schooley said. "People are going to be looking at them when they look at shutting down our team and say 'We gotta stop Longpre and Urban.'"

Longpre finished second in scoring for Robert Morris last season with 41 points (12-29-41) while Urban was third with 27 points (4-23-27).

Both have been designated preseason All-College Hockey America First Team selections.

Both were also 2008-09 first-team All-CHA and 2007-08 CHA All-Rookie Team picks.

The Colonials will get their first chance to begin sorting out the rest against someone other than themselves on Friday and Saturday when they host exhibition games Queen's University at the Island Sports Center (7:05 both nights).

The regular season commences on Oct. 16 against Alaska-Fairbanks and on Oct. 17 against Alaska-Anchorage at the Brice Alaska Goal Rush.

First things first.

"We have some ideas (about line combinations)," Schooley said. "We've been playing with the same guys together for the last couple of weeks.

"Until you see a game scenario you don't know how they're fitting."

The Colonials are looking for a right wing to replace Chris Margott on the top line with left wing Trevor Lewis and Longpre.

Margott led RMU in scoring in 2008-09 with 44 points (21-23-44).

Sophomore Cody Crichton, who scored two goals in 17 games last season, is getting an extended look as Margott's successor.

Crichton scored two goals while playing with Lewis and Longpre, each of whom recorded two assists, in the Blue/White Scrimmage on Oct. 3.

"We want to see what he can do playing with them," Schooley said. "They were pretty successful in the Blue-White game."

Also yet to be determined is the defense partner for Urban.

"He needs a stay-at-home defenseman to allow him to do what he needs to do," Schooley said of Urban. "We're trying to find the right fit for him."

Queen's, located in Kingston, Ontario, figures to provide valuable competition as the Colonials continue to evaluate themselves and their potential.

The Canadian school has a tradition that includes having competed for the Stanley Cup in 1899 and 1906.

"I really don't know what to expect," Schooley said. "They'll be an older, bigger team with a lot of major-junior experience."