Box Score

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – October 12, 2013 - The Robert Morris University men's ice hockey team concluded its first road trip of the season with a second game in as many days against Lake Superior State on Saturday.  Although the Colonials picked up a power-play goal from Scott Jacklin (Kimberley, British Columbia / Trail Smoke Eaters) to opening the scoring, RMU would fall after allowing three consecutive goals, 3-1.

Just one game after going scoreless on seven power-play attempts, Robert Morris (0-2-0, 0-0-0 AHA) capitalized on a first-period penalty by Lake Superior State (2-0-0, 0-0-0 WCHA).  Despite eight power-play opportunities, Jacklin's goal was the only offense that RMU was able to muster.

The Lakers' parade to the penalty box began just two minutes into the opening frame.  On the ensuing power play, the Colonials would record just one shot on goal.  Robert Morris would get a second shot with the man advantage a short time later and this is when Jacklin would get the Colonials on the board.  Cycling the puck along the right wing boards, Ben Robillard (Ottawa, Ontario / Ottawa Jr. Senators) found David Friedmann (Toronto, Ontario / Toronto Jr. Canadiens) who then dished the puck to Jacklin.  Jacklin then carried the puck into the right wing circle and let go of a shot that beat Kevin Murdock, the Lake Superior State goaltender, to give the Colonials the 1-0 lead.

After the power-play goal, Robert Morris would have to kill its first of three penalties in the contest.  After RMU returned to full strength, Jacklin had a golden chance to increase the Colonials' lead.  Jacklin found himself in all alone on Murdock, but the Lakers' goalie got the best of Jacklin this time with a save to keep the score 1-0.

The Colonials would have a third power-play opportunity as time expired in the opening period.  RMU was unable to capitalize with this man advantage as play resumed with the start of the second period despite three shots on goal.  Robert Morris would have three more power-play opportunities over a span of eight minutes in the second period.  The Colonials were able to get four shots on goal while on the man advantages, but shortly after the third advantage expired, Lake Superior State would tie the game.  As Murdock kicked a shot into the corner boards, Lake Superior State emerged from the scrum and busted out of the defensive zone.  The puck was fed to Matt Johnson who entered the offensive zone along the left wing boards and fired a shot over the shoulder of freshman goaltender Dalton Izyk (Oswego, N.Y. / Indiana Ice).

A seventh power-play opportunity for Robert Morris would be cut short by an offensive zone penalty that forced the two teams to skate four-on-four.  Both penalties expired without either squad taking the lead.  Izyk's collegiate debut would come to an abrupt end as he was removed from the game with four minutes remaining in the second period as he needed assistance to return to the Colonial bench after a stoppage in play.  Terry Shafer (Penfield, N.Y. / New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs) would come in to replace Izyk and make two saves to ensure that the second period ended with the score tied, 1-1.

It looked as though the Colonials had regained the lead in the opening seconds of the third period as a shot from the point was deflected behind Murdock.  The referees deemed that the puck was deflected with a high stick and proceeded to waive off the goal as the score remained 1-1.  Shortly after the disallowed goal, Robert Morris would head back to the power play for the eighth time.  This man advantage would come and go without the Colonials registering a shot on goal.  Almost midway through the third frame, Lake Superior State would take the lead with a goal by Andrew Dommett after a net-front scramble to put the Colonials down a goal, 2-1.

With less than four minutes remaining, the Lakers would double the deficit facing Robert Morris with a goal to make the score 3-1.  Lake Superior State entered the offensive zone as Kevin Czuczman released a wrist shot from the right wing circle that beat Shafer over the shoulder.

Robert Morris would pull Shafer in the final minutes for an extra attacker but the move did not result in a second goal as time expired on the Colonials who suffered their second 3-1 defeat in as many days.

Izyk and defenseman Rob Mann (Oshawa, Ontario / Penticton Vees) each made their collegiate debuts in the loss.  Izyk recorded ten saves before leaving the game while Shafer also recorded ten saves while suffering his second loss of the season.  In just his second game as a Colonial, Robillard earned his first career point with the secondary assist on Jacklin's goal in the first period.

Robert Morris outshot Lake Superior State, 28-23, as Zac Lynch (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Bay State Breakers) paced the team with five shots on goal.  Defensively, Evan Renwick (Calgary, Alberta / Canmore Eagles) recorded a game-high three blocked shots for a second-consecutive game.

Upon returning from the series against Lake Superior State, Robert Morris will have its home and conference opener on Saturday, October 19.  The Colonials will play host to longtime rival Niagara at the 84 Lumber Arena on Saturday with puck drop scheduled for 7:05 p.m.