PITTSUBUGH, Pa. - The Robert Morris University men's hockey team pushed its record to 4-0-0 Sunday night, rallying from two-goals down to knock off Air Force, 3-2, inside CONSOL Energy Center in the RMU Hockey Showcase.
After falling behind two scores in the first period, the Colonials scored late in the first and on the power-play in the second to even the score. Nathan Longpre (Peterborough, Ontario / Mahoning Valley Phantoms) capped the rally with the game-winning goal late in the third period.
Longpre scored with 2:11 second remaining in the third period to keep Robert Morris' record unblemished. Longpre also hit a personal milestone Sunday becoming just the second player in Colonials history to record 100 career points. The senior assistant captain hit the mark in the second period picking up the second assist on Chris Kushneriuk's (Ottawa, Ontario / Orleans Blues) game-tying goal.
Robert Morris started slow falling behind in the first period after Mike Walsh scored 6:09 into the game. George Michalke stretched the lead to 2-0 at the 18:28 mark with the Falcons second even-strength goal of the period. The period looked like it would end with Air Force holding a two-goal advantage until Ron Cramer (New Wilmington, Pa. / Indiana Ice) fired a shot behind the Falcon net. Cody Crichton (Palgrave, Ontario / Brampton Capitals) dug the puck out and launched a shot on net and Air Force goalkeeper Jason Torf could not control the rebound, in scramble for the puck Trevor Lewis (Lititz, Pa. / Syracuse Stars) cut the lead in half with one second remaining in the first period.
For the second consecutive game the Robert Morris power-play came through in a big way with Kushneriuk picking up a goal to even the score at 17:30 mark of the second period.
After a week off, Robert Morris returns Oct. 30 when they travel to Rochester, N.Y. to take on, defending Atlantic Hockey Champion, RIT.
Game Notes
- The 4-0-0 start is the best in school history and ranks tied as the longest winning streak in the nation.
- Nathan Longpre becomes just the second Robert Morris men's ice hockey player to reach 100 career points. With two points on the night he is just 35 points away from tying Chris Margott's school record for career points.
- It is the first win for Robert Morris when trailing after the first period since Jan. 15, 2010 when the Colonials rallied from one down to defeat Alabama-Huntsville.
- The four-game winning streak is the longest since the Colonials won four in a row last season from Jan. 8- Jan. 16. That streak was highlighted with two wins against then-No. 1 Miami (Ohio). Robert Morris' longest winning streak in school history is five games set Jan. 29 - Feb. 10, 2007.
- Robert Morris has scored seven goals this season in the final ten minutes of regulation, outscoring its opponents 7-1.
- Ron Cramer extended his point streak to a career-best three games with an assist on Trevor Lewis' goal.
