Unexpected Progress: Colonials Learn from Defeat

By Mike Prisuta
www.rmucolonials.com
Dec. 10, 2009

Prisuta On Pucks Link

Pittsburgh, Pa. - A three-game homestand in which Robert Morris had hoped to generate momentum produced mostly frustration.

But a 2-2 tie and a 4-2 loss against Alabama-Huntsville last weekend also revealed progress, albeit in subtle doses.

Colonials head coach Derek Schooley will take any and all of that he can get right about now as his team prepares for pre-Christmas Break games on Friday night at Niagara (7 p.m.) and Tuesday night at Canisius (7:05 p.m.).

"We played very well defensively," Schooley said of the Alabama-Huntsville series. "We just made some mistakes that they capitalized on and we were not as opportunistic as them. We had a lot of chances and we didn't convert.

"It's frustrating because when you outshoot a team 89-40 (in the two games) you think you're going to get a better fate. The territorial advantage was definitely in our favor. Other than finishing around the net, we played well."

Better defensive-zone play had been a goal since the outset of the season.

The Colonials achieved it by becoming "more aggressive," Schooley said.

"We made sure we got after people. We didn't give them as much time and space."

Cleaning up their end also facilitated an easier transition from defense to offense, which in turn led to more shots on goal.

Robert Morris outshot Alabama-Huntsville 48-23 on Friday night and 41-17 in Saturday's game.

The Colonials had been outshot in 12 of their first 13 games and were being outshot by an average of 44.8-27.3 per game.

Robert Morris amassed 33 of its 89 shots on power plays that produced three goals in 19 chances in the two games.

"Our power play created a boat load of shots and a boat load of chances and we just couldn't convert," Schooley said. "We had Nerf sticks around the front of the net. We had a lot of pucks that just sat in the crease that we didn't get to, and their goaltender frustrated us.

"I hate to keep using the word 'frustrated' but that's what it came down to."

Alabama-Huntsville goaltender Cameron Talbot frustrated the Colonials often enough to earn CHA Defensive Player of the Week honors while stopping 85 of the 89 shots he faced. UAH forward Cody Campbell (two goals, three assists) was named the CHA offensive Player of the Week.

The Colonials haven't had anyone recognized along those lines since forward Chris Kushneriuk (offensive) and goaltender Brooks Ostergard (defensive) were honored on Nov. 16.

Robert Morris (3-10-2 overall, 1-4-2 CHA) was coming off a 5-3 victory and a 3-3 tie against Niagara at the time.

The Colonials are 0-4-1 since, including a 5-0 loss to Niagara on Nov. 25 at the Island Sports Center.

"Everybody stepped up and bought into what we were trying to do (against Alabama-Huntsville), we just need to score goals," Schooley said. "When we were scoring goals our defense wasn't very good. Now, we've addressed our defense and we're having trouble scoring goals. We need to get our defense and our offense going at the same time.

"We've been giving up 40 shots a game and we gave that up in two games and only got one point out of the deal, but we took some steps (in the right direction). I liked how we played defensively and I liked the passion.

"We just need to make sure we don't go on Christmas Break early."