Huntsville, Ala. - After a disappointing loss on Saturday night, the Robert Morris University men's hockey bounced back Sunday afternoon with a hard fought win in the Von Braun Center on the campus of Alabama-Huntsville. For the second consecutive night the Colonials jumped out to an early lead, but this time the squad found a way to hold on as they downed the Chargers, 4-2.
Robert Morris, now 10-16-5 and 6-7-3 in conference play, secured the second spot in the CHA standings with the win as they head into their final two regular season contests against Niagara.
Just 1:42 after the opening puck drop, sophomore Nick Chiavetta (Harrisburg, Pa. / New York Applecore) notched his fifth of the year to put RMU on top, 1-0. Senior J.C. Velasquez (Clarkson, Mich. / Green Bay Gamblers) and freshman Stefan Salituro (Willodale, Ontario / Mahoning Valley Phantoms) earned helpers on the even-strength strike.
Although UAH owned shots, 13-7, in the first period, the Colonials continued to dominate the scoreboard as they took a two goal lead with another score early in the second session.
Junior Scott Kobialko (Spruce Grove, Alberta / Camrose Kodiaks), assisted by Chris Kushneriuk (Ottawa, Ontario / Wayne State), gave Robert Morris its second tally of the afternoon at the 2:01 mark.
Five minutes later, Velasquez tacked on another marker with his second point of the game at 7:03 of the middle frame. Chiavetta also picked up his second point of the contest with an assist. The secondary helper was awarded to senior Dave Cowan (Calgary, Alberta / Olds Grizzlys).
With the Colonials holding the three-goal edge, the Chargers finally found the back of the net with Chris Fairbanks goal at 13:27 of the second. At the end of two, shots were tied at 19.
Hoping for a repeat comeback, UAH pulled within one to make the score, 3-2, 14 minutes into the third period. But this time, Robert Morris would hold off the rally attempt and add on a goal of their own with under 30 seconds in the contest.
At 19:34, junior Denny Urban (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Ohio Blue Jackets) sealed the Colonial win with an unassisted goal.
Overall, Alabama-Huntsville barely edged RMU on shots, 29-28. However, the Robert Morris penalty kill unit looked much improved as they shut out the Chargers on all six of their man-advantages.
Second year netminder Brooks Ostergard (Chagrin Falls, Ohio / Bay State Breakers) made 27 saves while allowing two goals.
Robert Morris will enjoy a one week break before closing out the regular season with a final home-and-home series against Niagara. On Friday, March 5, the Colonials and Purple Eagles will tangle at 7:05 p.m. in Clearview Arena for the final home contest of the 2009-10 season.
