Bemidji, Minn. ? For the second time in Robert Morris University men's hockey history, the Colonials advanced to the Championship Round of the CHA Tournament. In one of the most fast paced, hard-hitting games of the season, Robert Morris' exceptional penalty kill unit led the Colonials into overtime. But, it would be the Beavers who would advance to the NCAA Tournament as they picked up the goal in overtime play to win 3-2.
Looking to take Bemidji's home crowd out of the mix, the Colonials made an early statement just 3:53 into the first period. Freshman Ron Cramer (New Wilmington, Pa. / Indiana Ice) came up with the huge goal for RMU to grab the lead. Defensemen Dave Cowan (Calgary, Alberta / Olds Grizzlys) and James Lyle (Nepean, Ontario / Smiths Falls Bears) assisted on Cramer's fourth score of the year.
With just seconds remaining the first period, Bemidji State tied the contest at one all with Tyler Scofield's 18th goal of the 2008-09 season. The power play goal, scored at 19:30 of the first period, was assisted by Matt Read and Brad Hunt.
At the end of the first, BSU led shots eight to seven. Freshman Brooks Ostergard (Chagrin Falls, Ohio / Bay State Breakers) made seven saves in his second post-season appearance.
The Beavers took their first lead of the night at even strength midway through the second period. Read recorded his second point of the game to put the Beavers up 2-1 over RMU. Matt Francis and Scofield were awarded the assists on the goal.
But the Colonials found exactly what they were looking for at 18:47 of the second. Senior Chris Margott (Thousand Oaks, Calif. / Bay State Breakers) found the back of the net to grab the much needed game tying goal. Sophomores Nathan Longpre (Peterborough, Ontario / Mahoning Valley Phantoms) and Chris Kushneriuk (Ottawa, Ontario / Wayne State) had the helpers on Margott's power play goal.
The Colonials outshot the Beavers 16 to 10 in the second while Ostergard added an additional nine saves.
Although no goals were scored in the third period, the RMU penalty kill unit stole the show during the final twenty minutes of regulation. Faced with killing off three penalties late in the third, the Colonials held strong to force the championship game to an overtime decision.
At the conclusion of the third period, Bemidji State outshot Robert Morris 32-28. Robert Morris went one-for-six on the power play while the Beavers went one-for-seven.
Finally at 8:05 of OT, the Beavers ended the stalemate with Read's goal to send the Beavers into the NCAA Tournament.
The Colonials concluded the 2008-09 season with a 10-19-7 record. Robert Morris will graduate four seniors in 2009, but will return a strong core next season. Head coach Derek Schooley will return for his sixth season in 2009-10 in hopes of leading Robert Morris to its first NCAA Tournament Bid.
