Pittsburgh, Pa. ? On Friday night, the Robert Morris University men's hockey team returned home for the final time of the 2008-09 eager to extend their winning streak and gain further ground in the CHA standings. Led by Nathan Longpre's (Peterborough, Ontario / Mahoning Valley Phantoms) two blasts in the third, the Colonials never stopped fighting as they deadlocked with the Purple Eagles, 3-3.
The Colonials and Purple Eagles both came out firing shot after shot in the first period. However the Colonial's defensive pressure in the offensive zone cause a key turnover which freshman Trevor Lewis (Lititz, Pa / Syracuse Stars) was able to take to the net and beat NU goalie Juliano Pagliero to give the Colonials the lead 1-0 in the first period. Senior forward Chris Margott (Thousand Oaks, Calif. / Bay State Breakers) was credited with his 19th assist on the season.
The second period started just as the first. But this time, it was the Purple Eagles who got on the board. Junior defensemen Tyler Gotto skated down the near boards and fired a shot off both posts and past freshman goalie Brooks Ostergard (Chagrin, Falls / Bay State Breakers). Bryan Haczyk and Vince Rocco were credited with the assists that evened the game up at the end of two.
Early into the third period, Niagara took its first lead of the night with Ryan Olidis fourth goal of the year just 1:22 back into action. Haczyk and David Ross picked up assists on the Purple Eagle goal to take the 2-1 lead.
Just five minutes later, Longpre even the game at two all with his 11th score of the 2008-09 season. Margott picked up his second assist of the game with his pass to Longpre at 6:19 of the third.
Longpre would give the Colonials another one goal lead with his hard one-timer from the top of the faceoff circle. The goal, scored at 11:05 of the third period, gave Margott his third assist of the game. Senior Jake Obermeyer (Chanhassen, Minn. / Tri-City Storm) was credited with a secondary assist.
But the Purple Eagles were not done quite yet, Rocco hit home an easy shot behind Ostergard after a Colonial turnover behind the net. The unassisted goal at 15:15 would be the game's last.
The two teams continued to battle through regulation and overtime play, but neither could notch a fourth goal for the win.
Overall, Ostergard picked up 37 saves in his second career tie decision. The Colonials held the Purple Eagles scoreless on every one of their seven power play opportunies.
Tomorrow night the Colonials and Purple Eagles will match up for the second game of the series at 7:35 p.m. The four graduating seniors of the 2009 class will be honored for their contributions to the program and dedication to RMU Hockey.
