PITTSBURGH, Pa. - The Robert Morris University men's ice hockey team picked up a point in the Atlantic Hockey standings Saturday night earning a 2-2 tie with Niagara at the Island Sports Center.
The Colonials (15-8-4, 10-6-4) saw another two-goal third-period lead against the Purple Eagles (15-8-3, 12-6-1) disappear as the two teams skated to a 2-2 tie. Eric Levine (Wheeling, Ill. /Pembroke Lumber Kings) posted 56 saves in net for the Colonials falling just two stops short of his own school record of 58.
For the second consecutive game, Robert Morris and Niagara played to a scoreless first period with Cody Campbell posting 12 saves for Niagara, while Levine turned away 20 shots in the first frame. The Colonials picked up a key penalty kill in the first period as Ron Cramer (New Wilmington, Pa. / Indiana Ice) went to the box at the 16:11 mark and 33 seconds later Brendan Jamison (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Jersey Hitmen) picked a holding penalty a 5-on-3 power player for 1:27. Robert Morris killed off the power-play opportunity while Levine made six stops on the first period kill.
The Colonials jumped out a two goal lead in the second period with two goals in the first 2:01 of the frame. Nick Chiavetta (Harrisburg, Pa. / New York Applecore) netted his fourth goal of the season at the 1:09 mark of the second stanza. Scott Kobialko (Spruce Grove, Alberta / Camrose Kodiaks) pushed the Colonial advantage to two with an even-strength goal at 2:01 of the second period.
Niagara's Scott Arnold cut the Colonial lead in half at the 11:16 mark of the third period and Ryan Murphy tied the game at 13:09 of the third frame, with his third goal of the season. The Colonials and the Purple Eagles skated to a scoreless overtime period as Robert Morris picked its fourth tie of the season, while Niagara earned their first Atlantic Hockey Association tie.
The Colonials battle conference rival Canisius next week in a home-and-home series with Robert Morris traveling to Buffalo, N.Y. Thursday before welcoming the Golden Griffins to the Island Sports Center Saturday.
Game Notes
- Nathan Longpre extended his point streak to seven games Saturday. The senior assistant captain has a point in 14 of his last 15 games with six multi-point games during the streak.
- The Colonials now hold a home record of 7-2-3 at home this season and hold a record of 6-1-3 at the Island Sports Center.
- Eric Levine posted 56 saves falling just two stops short of his school record 58 which the sophomore tallied a season ago.
- The Colonials have surrendered 21 third period goals this season, six of those have been scored by Niagara.
- Robert Morris surrendered a power-play goal for the fifth consecutive game. The Colonials also failed to tally a goal for the fourth consecutive game, RMU has just one power-play goal in its last eight games.
