West Springfield, Mass. - The Robert Morris University men's ice hockey team started a
four-game road trip with a contest against American International on Friday
evening. A goal by senior Adam Brace was
not enough to overcome two first-period goals as the Colonials fell, 4-1, in
the first of two games against AIC this weekend.
The Yellow
Jackets would open the scoring just over seven minutes in to the first
period. Shortly after both teams were
whistled for matching minor penalties, AIC would take the early 1-0 lead with a
goal while the two teams played 4-on-4 hockey.
American International would double their lead at the 11:29 mark of the
period as the Yellow Jackets would capitalize after a failed Robert Morris
power play. Nine seconds after the end
of the man advantage for the Colonials had expired; AIC would pounce on a loose
puck in front of the RMU net for the 2-0 advantage.
Less than a
minute in to the second period, Robert Morris would cut the deficit in
half. After pressuring the Yellow
Jackets in their own zone, senior forward Adam Brace (Cobden, Ontario /
Canisius College) would pick off an errant clearing attempt just inside the
blue line. Brace would skate in all
alone on the goaltender and find the back of the net to make the score 2-1 just
55 seconds in to the period.
Looking to
tie the game in the second period, RMU would pressure American International in
the offensive zone, often for a prolonged period of time in which the Colonials
would have multiple scoring chances. In
the second period alone, Robert Morris outshot the Yellow Jackets, 16-8, while
managing 34 shots on goal through the first two periods.
American
International would regain a two-goal advantage in the third period to make the
score 3-1. The Yellow Jackets would add
an empty-net goal in the final minutes to make the final score 4-1.
The
Colonials would hold a 47-30 advantage in shots as four different Colonials had
five shots on goal. Goaltender Eric Levine (Wheeling, Ill. / Pembroke Lumber Kings) would make 26 saves as his
record fell to 10-5-2 on the season.
Brace's goal in the second period would be his 41st career goal while
pushing his career point total to 93.
The
Colonials conclude their two-game series with American International tomorrow
afternoon with the game scheduled for a 3:05 p.m. faceoff.
