ROCHESTER, N.Y. - The Robert Morris University men's ice hockey dropped its first game of the season in overtime Friday night falling to defending Atlantic Hockey Association champion RIT, 3-2.
Nathan Longpre (Peterborough, Ontario / Mahoning Valley Phantoms) scored a power-play goal with 10:09 remaining in the third period to force overtime. RIT claimed the victory with an even-strength goal from Adam Mitchell with just 1:19 second left in the extra frame.
"We played hard and competed very well," head men's ice hockey coach Derek Schooley said. "Both teams' were dominating at times. They (RIT) were very good in the second period and I felt we were very good in the first and the third. The game came down to one player making a player and tonight RIT made the play. We need to accept it and move on and be ready to play tomorrow night."
Nick Chiavetta (Harrisburg, Pa. / New York Applecore) gave the Colonials a first period lead with a goal 11:24 into the game with an assist from Furman South (Sewickley, Pa. / Bay State Breakers). The lead was short lived as the Tigers evened the score 1:51 later with an even-strength goal from Nolan Descoteaux. Cameron Burt and Adam Hartley picked up the assists for RIT, who was playing its first game of the season and unveiled its AHA and Frozen Four banners prior to the game.
The Tigers took their first lead of the game at the 13:42 mark of the second period with an even strength tally from Mike Janda. Mark Cornacchia and Taylor McReynolds earned the assists.
The Colonials outshot the Tigers 36-28 and went a perfect 3-for-3 on the penalty kill, their second consecutive game with a perfect penalty kill. The power-play goal from Longpre gave the Colonials their fourth straight game with a power-play tally.
Robert Morris returns to action at 7:05 p.m. tomorrow against conference rival Niagara in Dwyer Arena.
Game Notes
- The overtime loss is the first for Robert Morris since Oct. 23, 2009 against Ferris State. The Colonials fell to the Bulldogs, 5-4.
- The loss is the first for the Colonials against RIT and it is the second time in three matchups that the Tigers and the Colonials have gone to an extra period.
- Longpre's third period power-play goal moves him into a tie for third in the Robert Morris record book for career power-play goals.
- The two goals for the Colonials were a season low.
- Robert Morris has not allowed an opponent to score more than three goals in a game this season.
