GAME NOTES at Lake Superior State (10/11 and 10/12)
Game #1
Robert Morris at Lake Superior State
Friday, October 11, 2013 - 7:37 p.m. - Taffy Abel Arena (4,000) - Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.
Game #2
Robert Morris at Lake Superior State
Saturday, October 12, 2013 - 5:07 p.m. - Taffy Abel Arena (4,000) - Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.
Against the Lakers
The opening series of the 2013-14 season for Robert Morris will mark also be the fourth series between the Colonials and Lake Superior State. Â Of the previous six meetings, RMU has won just once against the Lakers, a 4-3 victory on Nov. 22, 2008, the last time that RMU visited Lake Superior State. Â The two teams last met in 2009 for a pair of games at Robert Morris that were both won by the Lakers; 7-6 and 2-0.
Scouting Lake Superior State
Lake Superior State ended the 2012-13 season with a first-round exit in the CCHA Playoffs after a 17-21-1 record. Â Selected to finish eighth by the WCHA coaches, the Lakers dropped their only exhibition contest this past weekend against the USA National U-18 Team, 3-2. Â Â Senior Dan Radke recorded both goals for the Lakers in the exhibition contest Radke returns to Lake Superior State after recording 21 points, five goals and 16 assists. Â Kevin Murdock and Kevin Kapalka both return in net for the Lakers after splitting time last season. Â Murdock held the better save percentage (.930), goals-against average (2.51), and record (10-12, .455) over Kapalka last season.
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The 2013-14 season marks the 10th season for the Colonial hockey program. Â It is the team's fourth season in the Atlantic Hockey Association. Â Robert Morris has an all-time record of 124-156-40 in its time as a Division I program. Â Head coach
Derek Schooley has been behind the bench for every season at RMU.
Lid Lifters
Robert Morris is 4-5 all-time in the first game of its season. Â The last time that the Colonials won the first game of the season was October 9, 2010 on the road against American International by a final score of 4-1.
Receiving Votes
In the preseason poll released by USCHO.com, Robert Morris received two votes. Â This comes after the Colonials cracked the USCHO.com poll last season at No. 19 after winning the Three Rivers Classic and shuting out then-No. 5 ranked Miami. Â Six institutions from the AHA were recognized in the poll, including rival Niagara who was ranked No. 20.
The Newest Captain
Heading into the program's tenth season, head coach
Derek Schooley turned to senior forward
Colin South as the team's newest captain. Â South served as an assistant captain during his junior season.Â
Preseason AHA Polls
In the Preseason Coaches' Poll, Robert Morris was selected to finish seventh in the conference. Â The Colonials were behind each of their opponents from the western pod; Niagara, Mercyhurst, Air Force, Canisius, and RIT. Â RMU was also selected behind eastern pod favorite Connecticut, the team that knocked the Colonials out of the AHA Quarterfinals last season. Â In the inaugural AHA Meadi Poll, Robert Morris was selected to finish in a tie for seventh with Holy Cross.
Workman, Nicholson Elevated to Associate Head Coach
Prior to the 2013-14 season, head coach
Derek Schooley elevated his two assistants,
Matt Nicholson and
Mark Workman, to the status of associate head coach. Â Workman served as a top assistant at Brown for six seasons before coming to Robert Morris while Nicholson joined the Colonials after time at Adrian College. Â Both coaches are entering their fifth seasons as members of the Colonial hockey family.
55 Wins and Counting
This season's senior class needs just 11 wins to set a new program record for victories by a class. Â The graduating class of 2012 holds the current record with 65 victories. Â This season's group of seniors currently has 55 wins, a number which is the second-most by any graduating class.
As training camps through all levels of hockey kicked off in late September, two members of the Colonial hockey family received invitations to the main NHL camps. Â
Eric Levine got the call to join the Nashville Predators camp while Denny Urban headed to join the Florida Panthers. Â Urban became just the second Colonial in program history to see playing time while in camp when he dressed for the Panthers in an exhibition against Nashville.
A Banner Season
The 2012-13 edition of Robert Morris men's ice hockey will be remembered as one of the greatest in school history as the team set a new school record with 20 victories. Â The team finished with a 20-14-4 overall record while going 13-11-3 in Atlantic Hockey play. Â The Colonials would have two different seven-game unbeaten streaks while also claiming the inaugural Three Rivers Classic.
The Only Man Behind the Benches
Robert Morris is led by
Derek Schooley, who has been the only bench boss for the Colonials in the program's 10-year history. Schooley has a career record of 124-156-40.
