Hamilton, N.Y. - After a difficult loss on Friday night, the Robert Morris University men's hockey team returned to the ice against the Raiders of Colgate University determined to find a win at Starr Rink. Although the Colonials held a 3-2 lead going into the final minutes, the Raiders scored a last second goal with an extra attacker to force the game into overtime and ultimately to the 3-3 tie.
Freshman Eric Levine (Wheeling, Ill. / Pembroke Lumber Kings) got the start in net for the Colonials where he made a total of 28 saves in his fifth career decision.
"I was very pleased with our complete effort and willingness to battle," said head coach Derek Schooley. "We played much better tonight, and we deserved a better fate."
Much like Friday's contest, Colgate jumped out to an early lead midway through the first period with Nick Prockow's fifth of the year at 12:45.
With a one goal advantage heading into the second session, the Colonials turned the tables on Colgate as they quickly put three scores on the board in the first half of the period. RMU's scoring trend began when Furman South (Sewickley, Pa. / Bay State Breakers) and Ron Cramer (New Wilmington, Pa. / Indiana Ice) connected with freshman Andrew Blazek (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Topeka Roadrunners) to knot the game at one all at the 2:01 mark.
Five minutes later, Stefan Salituro (Willodale, Ontario / Mahoning Valley Phantoms) gave Robert Morris its first lead of the weekend as he tallied his third score of the season to put RMU ahead, 2-1. The lone assist was awarded to fellow freshman, Zach Hervato (Stittsville, Ontario / Smiths Falls Bears) at 7:08.
The goals kept on coming at 9:02 when sophomore blueliner, Josh Jones (Scenery Hill, Pa. / Hawkesbury Hawks) netted his first of the 2009-10 campaign to extend RMU's edge to two goals. The helpers on Jones' marker were awarded to Cramer and South.
Despite the Colonials' momentum swing, the Raiders responded two minutes later with a goal from Brian Day to make the score, 3-2, still in favor of Robert Morris at the end of the middle session.
The third period got underway with RMU successfully killing off two Colgate power play opportunities, including nearly 45 seconds of a five-on-three advantage for the Raiders.
But with under two minutes to go, the Raiders found themselves once again with a man-advantage for the duration of the contest. In a last effort, Colgate pulled its goaltender and scored a six-on-four, game tying goal with only 49 seconds remaining in regulation.
The three-all stalemate forced the game into a five-minute overtime where neither squad could manage to net a fourth score. RMU finished the night with 37 shots, three of which came in the OT period.
The Colonials (7-13-4 ; 3-4-2 CHA) will continue their grueling road trip next Friday and Saturday when they return to conference play at Bemidji State in a two-game series with the #14 Beavers. Friday's face off will take place at 7:35 p.m.
