PITTSBURGH, Pa. - The Robert Morris University men's ice hockey team fell to Mercyhurst in the first round of the Atlantic Hockey Association, 5-1, Saturday at the Island Sports Center.
The Colonials (18-12-5, 13-9-5) fell behind early to the Lakers (14-16-4, 13-13-2) and could not rally as Robert Morris was knocked out of the Atlantic Hockey Association Tournament. The Lakers entered the third period with a 3-0 advantage and added two in the third to send the Colonials to a loss in their first AHA tournament game.
Robert Morris fell behind early as Scott Pitt scored at the 7:02 mark of the first period to give the Lakers the early advantage. Brooks Ostergard (Chagrin Falls, Ohio / Bay State Breakers) stopped four of the five shots he faced in the first frame while Ryan Zapolski stopped all six shots he saw in the first.
Pitt netted his second goal of the game at the 8:36 mark of the season period to push the advantage to 2-0. Jesse Echternach made it a three goal advantage at the 12:43 mark of the second stanza. The Colonials went 0-for-2 on the power play in second frame while going 1-for-1 on the penalty kill.
The Colonials cut into the Laker advantage early in the third period with a shorthanded goal from Trevor Lewis (Lititz, Pa. / Syracuse Stars) at the 1:59 mark of the third. Taylor Holstram pushed the Mercyhurst lead back to three with a goal at the 16:35 mark of the third period. Robert Morris looked to rally by pulling Ostergard but it was the Lakers who took advantage. Mike Gurtler scored with 2:01 left to close scoring in the game.
The Colonials went 0-for-4 while going 4-for-4 on the penalty kill. The loss ends a record breaking season for Robert Morris in which the team set road wins, total wins and conference victories.
Game Notes
- Eric Ferber saw his first action of the season and made five stops in net.
- Trevor Lewis scored his fourth goal of the season against Mercyhurst Saturday.
- Saturday's game was the first postseason men's college hockey game ever held on the campus of Robert Morris University.
- The Island Sports Center sold out Saturday for the fourth time this season and for the second consecutive game.
