COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The Robert Morris University men's ice hockey team suffered its first sweep as a member of the Atlantic Hockey Association Saturday falling to Air Force, 4-2, at the Cadet Ice Rink.
The Colonials (18-11-5, 13-9-5) lead the Falcons (16-11-6, 14-7-6) 2-1 in the third period but Robert Morris could not hang on as Air Force scored three goals in the final 11 minutes to knock off RMU. With the loss, Air Force earns a first round bye in the Atlantic Hockey Association Championship Tournament while Robert Morris takes on Mercyhurst in a first-round matchup Saturday.
Robert Morris took the early lead with Ron Cramer (New Wilmington, Pa. / Indiana Ice) scoring his second goal of the weekend at the 13:39 mark of the first period. The power-play goal was assisted by Cody Crichton (Palgrave, Ontario / Brampton Capitals) and Nathan Longpre (Peterborough, Ontario / Mahoning Valley Phantoms) and came on a 5-on-4 for RMU. Brooks Ostergard (Chagrin Falls, Ohio / Bay State Breakers) stopped all 10 shots he faced in the first frame giving RMU the early edge.
Air Force tied the game in the second period with a power-play goal of its own from Tim Kirby. Jason Torf stopped all 10 shots he faced in the second stanza as Air Force and Robert Morris ended the second tied at one a piece.
Robert Morris broke the stalemate with the third point in two games from Tom Brooks (St. Louis, Mo. / St. Louis Bandits), who scored his fourth goal of the season at 8:16 of the third period. The lead was short lived for the Colonials as Jacques Lamoureux scored his 18 goal of the season 1:01 later on the power play to tie the game at two. Derrick Burnett gave Air Force its first lead of the game at the 15:29 mark of the third period. Sean Bertsch put the game out of reach with his third goal of the season at the 16:37 mark of the third.
The Colonials went 1-for-2 on the power play with Cramer's goal in the first period. The Robert Morris penalty kill went 5-for-7 allowing two power play goals in the final two periods after just two power-play goals in their last six games.
The Colonials head into their first Atlantic Hockey Association Championship Tournament with a first-round matchup Saturday at 7:05 p.m. against Mercyhurst at the Island Sports Center.
Game Notes
- Robert Morris entered the final weekend of play having never fallen out of the Top 3 of the AHA standings. Robert Morris finishes the season in fifth in the Atlantic Hockey Standings.
- Tom Brooks recorded his fourth goal in six games Saturday, while also picking up his fifth point in six games. The junior did not record a goal in his first two seasons at Robert Morris.
- Nathan Longpre and Denny Urban became the school record holders for career games played as they both skated in their 135 career game.
- Longpre record a point in the 19th time in his last 21 games.
- Robert Morris has not won a conference road game in regulation time since Nov. 5.
