Pittsburgh, Pa. ? After making history with last evening's tie, the Robert Morris University men's hockey team made history again on Senior Night while playing CHA rival, Niagara Saturday night at the Island Sports Center.  The Colonials and Niagara ended regulation at a 0-0 deadlock, and for only the second time in RMU history, the game ended in a 0-0 overtime tie.  The win also extended the Colonial's unbeaten streak to six games.

In the first period both the Purple Eagles and Colonials came out with intensity and plenty of fight.  However the firepower of both would be tamed by Niagara's sophomore goalie Adam Avaramenko and Robert Morris's freshman goaltender Brooks Ostergard (Chagrin Falls, Ohio / Bay State Breakers) as both stopped 12 shots apiece.

The second period was a carbon copy as the first with more tenacity and physical play from both teams.  However the Colonials aggressiveness caused them to take four penalties. But, the Colonials penalty killing held strong and was able to keep the struggling Purple Eagles off the board.   Niagara was zero-four-five on the man advantage and 0-19 in their last 19 opportunities.   The Purple Eagles outshot the Colonials 12-9.

After three periods of play, neither team had managed to light the lamp forcing overtime play for the second consecutive night.  At the end of three, Ostergard had racked up a total of 31 saves.  In one of the most even matches of the year, both teams concluded the third period with 31 shots.  Overtime added another three saves to Ostergard's total.

Since the onset of the Colonial's unbeaten streak on Jan. 30, Robert Morris' penalty kill unit has put on an impressive display.  RMU was perfect this weekend, going 13 for 13 on the penalty kill. During the unbeaten streak, the team has killed 91% of the opponent power plays, only allowing three goals in thirty-five opportunities.

The tie sets up a playoff matchup between the same two teams during the conference tournament in two weeks in Bemidji, Minnesota.  The Colonials (8-17-7; 4-7-5 CHA) return to the ice next Friday and Saturday when they travel to Minnesota to finish out the regular season and keep their unbeaten streak intact against the Bemidji State Beavers.