Bemidji, Minn. ? After a successful start to the weekend, the Robert Morris University men's ice hockey teamed hoped to continue its winning ways in its final regular season contest against CHA foe, Bemidji State.  For the second straight night, the Colonials grabbed an early 1-0 lead.  However, the Beaver offense came to life in the second period with two shorthanded goals as they defeated RMU, 6-4.

"Despite the loss, I am very proud of the way we finished the season," said head coach Derek Schooley.  "We put ourselves in a good frame of mind entering the playoffs. It is a new season and all four teams are just two wins away from the NCAA Tournament."

With only seconds remaining in the first period, Robert Morris took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission as Kyle Burton (Calgary, Alberta / Calgary Canucks) struck for the seventh time of the year to take the lead.  The goal, scored at 19:53, was assisted by freshmen Ron Cramer (New Wilmington, Pa. / Indiana Ice) and Brandon Blandina (Centennial, Colo. / Indiana Ice).

However, it took little time for BSU's Tyler Scofield to tie the game at one all.  His power play goal scored at 2:33 of the second period was assisted by Matt Francis and Brad Hunt.

But just 23 seconds later, the Colonial's senior forward, Chris Margott (Thousand Oaks, Calif. / Bay State Breakers) would reclaim the lead for Robert Morris.  Sophomore Nathan Longpre (Peterborough, Ontario / Mahoning Valley Phantoms) and freshman Trevor Lewis (Lititz, Pa. / Syracuse Stars) earned helpers on the goal at 2:56 of the second.

Yet once again, the back and forth nature of the contest continued when Francis tied the game for a second time, this time at two goals apiece.  Scofield would get his second point of the night with an assist while Shea Walters picked up the secondary assist at 4:00.

The Beavers grabbed their first lead of the weekend when Scofield tallied his 100^th career point to put BSU up 3-2 with assists from Hunt and Francis at 5:03

The Colonials, not satisfied with the current score, struck back when James Lyle (Nepean, Ontario / Smiths Falls Bears) put the puck in the net to allow RMU to tie the game at 7:46.  Lyles power play goal, assisted by Jason Towsley (LaSalle, Ontario / Leamington Flyers) and Scott Kobialko (Spruce Grove, Alberta / Camrose Kodiaks) deadlocked the game at three.

Just a few minutes later, sophomore Denny Urban (Pittsburgh, Pa / Ohio Blue Jackets) tacked on another Colonial goal with the help of Longpre and Margott to extend the lead to 4-3.  Urban's goal, scored on a power play, was recorded at 9:49 of the second period.

Scofield, fresh off of scoring his 100^th career point, made it a memorable night by netting a hat trick with the Beaver's fourth goal.  Scofield's shorthanded goal from Matt Read and Hut also tied the game for the fourth time of the night.

The Beaver's continued firing away and netted their fifth goal of the second period courtesy of an unassisted, shorthanded goal scored by Reade to give the Beavers a 5-4 advantage.  The shorthander was only the second for the Beavers in the 2008-09 season.

The Colonials fought hard in the third, but only managed to put four shots on goal despite four power play opportunities.  The Beavers picked up their sixth score with an empty net goal with just seconds remaining.

Each team racked up numerous penalty minutes in the contest.  RMU recorded seven penalities for 22 minutes while BSU had 12 penalties for 43 minutes.

Freshman goalie Brooks Ostergard (Chagrin Falls, Ohio / Bay State Breakers) made the start in goal, but only played for the first 30 minutes as he gave up four goals in the second.  He was replaced in net by sophomore Jim Patterson (Kamloops, BC / Canmore Eagles ) who gave up one goal in nearly 29 minutes of action.  Ostergard had 17 saves while Patterson made 20.

Saturday's game marked the conclusion of the 2008-09 regular season for the Colonials.  Robert Morris will enter the CHA Tournament next Friday as the third seed when they face second seed Niagara in a semifinal bout.  The CHA Tournament is being hosting by Bemidji State at the John S. Glas Fieldhouse.