Buffalo, N.Y. - The Robert Morris University men's ice hockey team started its five-game road trip with a 4-0 shutout of the Canisius Golden Griffins; on Friday evening.

The Colonials would strike first as freshman Greg Gibson (Burlington, Ontario / Amarillo Bulls) would net his first career goal at the 8:27 mark of the first period.  Gibson would take a cross-crease pass from Brandon Denham (Milton, Ontario / Oakville Blades) and tap-in the puck to give RMU a 1-0 lead.  Also assisting on the play was forward Matt Cope (Lakewood, Colo. / Wenatchee Wild).  The trio of forwards would each pick up their first collegiate point on the goal.  Despite being outshot 7-5 in the period, Robert Morris would hold the advantage after the first period of play.

Just 45 seconds after the start of the second period, sophomore forward Cody Wydo (Southgate, Mich. / Motor City Metal Jackets) would double the Robert Morris lead as he found space between the faceoff circles to rip a wrist shot past the goaltender.  Scott Jacklin (Kimberley, British Columbia / Trail Smoke Eaters) would pick up his sixth assist in the past three games as he was credited with the primary assist on the goal.  Against his former team, senior Adam Brace (Cobden, Ontario / Canisius) was credited with the secondary assist on Wydo's goal.  Less than two minutes later, senior Zach Hervato (Stittsville, Ontario / Smiths Falls Bears) would eclipse his point total from his junior season as he sniped home his fifth goal of the season.  After cycling the puck in the corner, Hervato emerged in the slot with enough space to get off a quick shot past the Canisius goaltender.  Jeff Jones (Revelstoke, British Columbia / Merritt Centennials) would be credited with his sixth assist of the season on Hervato's goal.  In his first game of the season, defenseman Andrew Blazek (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Topeka Roadrunners) would put a shot on net that would deflect off the post and then the Golden Griffin goaltender before trickling over the line for the fourth Robert Morris goal.  The goal came at the 10:25 mark of the period after the Colonials controlled the puck in the offensive zone.  Forward Zac Lynch (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Bay State Breakers) picked up his second assist of the season on the goal.

Despite both teams generating chances in the third period, neither would capitalize with a goal.  The Colonials would outshoot Canisius 9-6 in the period.  Robert Morris would close out the game on the power play leading to a 0-for-1 night with the man advantage.

In his second consecutive start, Terry Shafer (Penfield N.Y. / New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs) would turn aside all 24 shots he faced for his first career win and shutout.  Ten different Colonials would record a point in the game as each of the four forward lines were represented with either a goal or an assist.  Defenseman Tyler Hinds (Orleans, Ontario / Nepean Raiders) was on the ice for all four goals as he accrued a +4 rating.  After tallying nine points in the 2011-2012 season, Hervato's goal would give him ten points – five goals and five assists – in only seven games played. 

The Colonials will continue their five-game road trip with a single game at Niagara University on Saturday, Nov. 17.  Face-off against the Purple Eagles is scheduled for 7:05.