Box Score

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – October 26, 2013 - The Robert Morris University men's ice hockey team concluded a home-and-home series with Ohio State on Saturday night in front of a sold-out crowd at the 84 Lumber Arena.  The sold-out crowd witnessed the Buckeyes jump out to a 4-0 lead after two periods before the Colonials collected three goals in the third period trying to mount a comeback.

Sophomore Zac Lynch (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Bay State Breakers) provided Robert Morris (0-4-1, 0-0-1 AHA) with a goal and an assist in the loss to Ohio State (2-3-0, 0-0-0 Big Ten).  The Colonials recorded a power-play goal for the fourth-consecutive game with Lynch's marker midway through the third period.

After a scoreless first period, Ohio State would open the scoring with the first of four Buckeye goals in the period.  Just 17 seconds into the second period, Nick Schilkey would put the Buckeyes on the board with a deflection from deep in the left wing circle past Terry Shafer (Penfield, N.Y. / New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs) who started his fourth game this season.

A minute later, Ohio State would take a 2-0 lead with a goal by Justin DaSilva.  DaSilva fired a shot from the point that found its way through traffic in front of the crease and past Shafer.

Robert Morris would fall behind three goals after the Buckeyes capitalized on the power play thirteen minutes into the period.  Drew Brevig would collect Ohio State's third goal of the period after the Buckeyes moved the puck around and freed Brevig up for a shot from the top of the slot.

Ohio State would extend their lead to four with a second power-play goal in the final minute of the period.  With 11 seconds remaining in the second frame, Tyler Lundey would deflect a shot from the point while positioned at the right post behind Shafer.

Two minutes into the third period, Brandon Denham (Milton, Ontario / Oakville Blades) would end Matt Tomkins' shutout bid with his first goal of the season.  Denham would gather a loose puck in the slot and quickly get off a shot over Tomkins' glove hand to make the score 4-1.  Matt Cope (Lakewood, Colo. / Wenatchee Wild) and David Rigatti (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Texas Tornado) would pick up the assists on Denham's first goal since the championship game of the 2012 Three Rivers Classic against nationally-ranked Miami.

Less than two minutes later, Colin South (Sewickley, Pa. / Bay State Breakers) would cut RMU's deficit in half with his first goal of the season.  South would collect an outlet pass from Lynch and streak into the offensive zone on the left wing before using an Ohio State defenseman as a screen in front of Tomkins.  South's shot would go under the sliding defenseman and over Tomkins' right shoulder to make the score 4-2 with sixteen minutes remaining in regulation.

Granted a power play after an Ohio State cross-checking penalty, Lynch would pull Robert Morris to within a goal, 4-3.  The initial shot towards the goal came from Tyson Wilson (Brockville, Ontario / Brockville Braves) and was deflected on its way towards the cage by Cody Wydo (Southgate Mich. / Motor City Metal Jackets).  Wydo's deflection was wide of the net but right to Lynch who was positioned at the bottom of the left wing circle and quickly tapped the puck behind Tomkins.

Down a goal, Robert Morris would pull Shafer for the final 65 seconds for an extra attacker.  The extra skater allowed the Colonials to control the puck in the offensive zone and register three shots on goal.  Despite the valiant effort, RMU was unable to complete the comeback before the final buzzer sounded on a 4-3 defeat.

Shafer would finish the game with 37 saves while the defense in front of him sacrificed their bodies for 23 blocked shots.  Fourteen Colonials would record a blocked shot in the defeat.  Of the Colonials' 24 shots on goal, Cope led Robert Morris with six shots towards the Ohio State netminder.

Robert Morris will remain in Pittsburgh to host in-state rival Penn State on Friday.  The Colonials have claimed the only two meetings between the NCAA's two youngest programs as RMU defeated the Nittany Lions on the road last season before shutting out Penn State in the semifinal round of the inaugural Three Rivers Classic.  Faceoff at the 84 Lumber Arena is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.