PITTSBURGH, Pa. - The Robert Morris University men's ice hockey team stopped its three-game losing skid and knocked off Connecticut, 3-1, in front a sellout crowd Friday at the Island Sports Center.
Nathan Longpre (Peterborough, Ontario / Mahoning Valley Phantoms) lead another Robert Morris comeback as the Colonials (13-7-2, 8-5-2) gave up an early second period goal to the Huskies (7-11-3, 7-6-1). Longpre put together a monster shift in the second period with an assist on the game-tying goal and then the Hobey Baker Award candidate scored the game-winning goal all in a span of 40 seconds.
The two teams played to a 0-0 tie in the first period with both netminders facing a large number of shots. Garrett Bartus made 20 first period stops for the Huskies while Eric Levine (Wheeling, Ill. /Pembroke Lumber Kings) turned away all 16 shots he faced in the first frame.
Billy Latta scored the first goal of the game at 1:58 mark of the second period. Robert Morris rallied once again and tied the game on a breakout play led by Longpre. The senior assistant captain ducked under a check and made an excellent cross ice pass to Adam Brace (Cobden, Ontario / Canisius College) scored to even the score at one. After a delay due to a Connecticut injury Longpre's line stayed on the ice. The next trip into the UConn zone Denny Urban (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Ohio Blue Jackets) found Longpre, who fired a shot from just inside the blueline and gave the Colonials a lead they did not relinquish.
James Lyle (Nepean, Ontario / Smiths Falls Bears) added a third period insurance goal as he scored top shelf on Bartus. The Colonials penalty kill posted solid numbers for the second consecutive game going 5-for-5 against a unit that entered the game 17th in the country.
The Colonials and the Huskies return to action at the Island Sports Center tomorrow with puck drop set for 7:05 p.m.
Game Notes
- Robert Morris moved its penalty kill streak to 10 consecutive as the Colonials went 5-for-5 against the Huskies Friday night. Â Â
- With his assist on Lonpre's game-winning goal, Denny Urban stands at 99 points for his career. He is trying to become the first Colonials defenseman in record 100 points for his career.
- Nathan Longpre scored the game-winning goal for the Colonials Friday. It is the fourth of the season for the senior which ranks him first in the Atlantic Hockey Association and second nationally.
- Eric Levine has stopped 70 of the last 72 shots he has faced including turning away 33 shots by No. 2 North Dakota last weekend.
