Worcester, Mass. - The Robert Morris University men's ice hockey team responded from
an early deficit to take three of four points from Holy Cross on the weekend as
the two teams skated to a 1-1 draw on Saturday afternoon.
Making
consecutive starts in net for the Colonials would be senior Eric Levine
(Wheeling, Ill. / Pembroke Lumber Kings) who would withstand thirteen
first-period shots from the Crusaders as the two teams would remain scoreless
after twenty minutes of play.
Holy Cross
would open the scoring at the 8:30 mark of the second period to hold the lead
for the first time in the two-game series against RMU. The Colonials would respond less than two
minutes later with a power-play goal.
Defenseman Andrew Blazek (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Topeka Roadrunners) would find the net as Robert Morris possessed
the puck in the attacking zone. Senior
Zach Hervato (Stittsville, Ontario / Smiths Falls Bears) would find an open
Blazek for the Colonials' goal. Freshman
David Friedmann (Toronto, Ontario / Toronto Jr. Canadiens) would be credited
with the second assist on the play.
While RMU would ramp up their offensive pressure, the team was still
outshot 14-12 in the period as the score remained tied, 1-1.
A scoreless
third period would ensue as both teams had quality chances to gain the
advantage before heading in to overtime.
Levine would make fourteen saves in the third frame as Robert Morris
would get eleven shots of their own off on the Holy Cross goaltender.
In the
five-minute overtime it was RMU who would have the better of the chances as it
would outshoot the Crusaders by a 5-3 margin although neither team was able to
capitalize for the game winning goal.
Levine
would finish the game with 43 saves as Robert Morris took part in its first
overtime contest of the season. Hervato's
assist further increased his point total as the senior now has a team-leading
twelve points – six goals, six assists – as he is now a single point away from
his career high of thirteen points during his sophomore season. In his first four games for the Colonials
this season, Blazek has registered three points, two goals and one assist.
The
Colonials conclude their five-game road trip with a visit to Columbus, Ohio to
take on Ohio State on Friday, Dec. 7.
Face off against the Buckeyes is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.