Niagara, NY - In a rare mid-week contest, the Robert Morris University men's hockey team traveled to Dwyer Arena on the campus of Niagara University for a make-up game after inclement weather forced the cancellation of their Friday, Dec. 11 meeting.
Wednesday's affair developed into a high scoring contest, as Colonials netted the opening marker only minutes into the first period. However, RMU had to settle with a tie as the pesky Purple Eagles scored late to force a, 4-4, deadlock.
In a game that started slow with a great deal of neutral site action, Robert Morris found a way to notch the first goal of the evening with an impressive score from junior defenseman, Denny Urban (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Ohio Blue Jackets). Urban took a pass from Trevor Lewis (Lititz, Pa. / Syracuse Stars) and Joe Harcharik (Des Moines, Iowa / North Iowa Outlaws) over the shoulder of the NU netminder to put the Colonials up, 1-0.
Just over a minute later, Niagara's Tyler Gotto evened the game at one-all when Robert Morris' Brooks Ostergard (Chagrin Falls, Ohio / Bay State Breakers) was screened and allowed the Purple Eagles' maker at 12:48.
With only 22 seconds remaining in the opening session, NU senior Chris Moran hit with an unassisted tally to send Niagara into the first intermission with a 2-1 lead and a 11-5 advantage on shots.
The second period then got off to a quick start as RMU knotted the game at two at the 17:13 mark. Sophomore Nick Chiavetta (Harrisburg, Pa. / New York Applecore) notched his fourth of the season with assists from senior J.C. Velasquez (Clarkson, Michigan / Green Bay Gamblers) and Harcharik. The helper from Harcharik marked his second point of the night in his very first point scoring contest.
Continuing with the back-and-forth action, Niagara took the lead once more with a power play goal from Ryan Olidis at 14:52.
But the resilient Colonials responded immediately as Zach Hervato (Stittsville, Ontario / Smiths Falls Bears) deadlocked the match-up for the third time, this time at three a piece. Hervato's fourth tally of the 09-10 campaign, recorded at 14:18 of the second period, was assisted by Stefan Salituro (Willodale, Ontario / Mahoning Valley Phantoms) and Chris Kushneriuk (Ottawa, Ontario / Wayne State).
With just over a minute to go in the middle frame, Robert Morris took their second lead of the contest when Salituro took a hard, top-shelf shot past Niagara goalie, Chris Noonan. Salituro's second point of the night from Hervato and Brandon Blandina (Centennial, Colo. / Indiana Ice) put RMU ahead, 4-3, as the two squads headed into the final 20 minutes of play.
At the beginning of the third, Niagara made a change in goal as Adam Avramenko took Noonan's spot in net.
Just as it began to look like the Colonials would hold on and skate away with the victory, Niagara snuck in a game-tying score with 1:29 remaining in regulation to force Robert Morris and the Purple Eagles into a five-minute overtime period.
Neither squad managed to net a game-winner in OT as Niagara outshot RMU, 5-3, in the extra session.
Sophomore Ostergard played a solid game between the pipes, making several big saves and stopping 27 shots.
The Colonials will enjoy this weekend off as they rest up before hosting No. 7 Bemidji State on February 12 -13 at the RMU Island Sports Center. Friday and Saturday's games both are set for 7:05 p.m. starts.
