Bemidji, Minn. - After a disappointing result at Bemidji State on Friday night, the Robert Morris University men's hockey team returned to the ice Saturday evening determined to topple one of the nation's top teams. Going into the contest with a 4-3 all-time record against squads ranked nationally in the top-eight, the Colonials took an early lead and never looked back as they upset the No. 6 Beavers in a, 5-2, win.
Sophomore goaltender Brooks Ostergard (Chagrin Falls, Ohio / Bay State Breakers) led the way in net for the Colonials as he picked up 26 saves in his seventh win of the 2009-10 campaign.
Mirroring BSU's quick start in the previous meeting, Robert Morris struck with an opening goal just three minutes into the CHA contest. Junior scoring leader, Nathan Longpre (Peterborough, Ontario / Mahoning Valley Phantoms) netted his 11th of the year with a power play score from Denny Urban (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Ohio Blue Jackets) and Cody Crichton (Palgrave, Ontario / Brampton Capitals).
Holding a one goal lead at the first intermission, the shots were tied at nine apiece with RMU going one-for-two on the power play.
At nearly the midpoint of the second session, the Colonials extended their lead to two when freshman Zach Hervato (Stittsville, Ontario / Smiths Falls Bears) recorded his third career goal with an assist from sophomore Brandon Blandina (Centennial, Colo. / Indiana Ice).
But as expected, the Beavers refused to go away quietly. BSU got on the board at 17:24 with a score from Ryan Cramer.
At the end of two, RMU still held a 2-1 advantage and a 19-16 edge on shots.
After a fairly calm first two periods, the scoring kicked into full swing when the Beavers tied the game at two-all at the 8:43 mark.
However, the Colonials responded immediately when Urban reclaimed the lead less than 45 seconds later. At 9:22, the junior blueliner gave Robert Morris a lead they would not relinquish thanks to helpers from Ron Cramer (New Wilmington, Pa. / Indiana Ice) and Blandina.
RMU continued to tack on goals when Stefan Salituro (Willodale, Ontario / Mahoning Valley Phantoms) added a fourth and unassisted marker with 5:10 remaining in the game.
As the clock kept winding down, senior J.C. Velasquez (Clarkson, Mich. / Green Bay Gamblers) closed out the scoring for Robert Morris with an empty net goal. Nick Chiavetta (Harrisburg, Pa. / New York Applecore) and Chris Kushneriuk (Ottawa, Ontario / Wayne State) earned assists on the Colonial goal that capped off the, 5-2, victory.
Overall, Robert Morris outshot the Beavers 30-28 and was one-for-seven with a man advantage.
The Colonials, now 8-14-4 and 4-5-3 in CHA action, will continue their conference schedule on Wednesday when the team travels to Niagara University to make up a game that was postponed in early December. The puck is set to drop in Dwyer Arena at 7:00 p.m.
