Robert Morris at Air Force
Saturday, November 16, 2013 - 9:05 p.m. - Cadet Ice Arena (2,470) - Air Force Academy, Colo.
Video: www.americaonesports.com | Radio: The Animal 1300 AM (Colorado Springs) | Live Stats: www.goairforcefalcons.com
The First Word
- After a four-game homestand, Robert Morris will hit the road for a single game against Air Force on Saturday, November 16 at 9:05 p.m.
- Last time out, the Colonials split a pair of home game while registering their first win of the season with a victory against Canisius, 6-1, before dropping a contest the following night to RIT, 4-2.
- Air Force last played on November 2 when the Falcons fell to Mercyhurst, 8-2, and will have had a week off to prepare for RMU's visit to the Cadet Ice Arena.
- The two teams have already played four common opponents this season; Canisius, Niagara, Penn State, and RIT. The Colonials are 1-2-1 against the four teams while Air Force is 5-0-0.
Against Air Force
- The last time that these two programs met was in January of 2013 when Air Force would sweep a two-game series against Robert Morris at the Cadet Ice Arena.
- Currently, the Colonials have lost the last four games against the Falcons, and eight of the last ten meetings have gone to Air Force.
- When facing off against the Falcons in Colorado, the Colonials have lost the previous six games while going 3-7 all-time on the road at Air Force.
- The four-game winning streak for the Falcons is not the longest streak for either team in the rivalry as RMU won six consecutive games against Air Force when the two teams were both members of the CHA.
- Air Force finished the 2012-2013 season with a record of 17-13-7 and a quarterfinal exit in the Atlantic Hockey Playoffs after suffering a pair of losses to Canisius.
- The Falcons have started the 2013-2014 campaign with a 5-3-0 record and a five-game win streak that was snapped with their most recent result, a loss at Mercyhurst.
- Four of the five victories for Air Force have come on home ice as the Falcons have taken down Penn State twice, Canisius, and Niagara at the Cadet Ice Arena.
- Currently, Air Force leads the AHA with a record of 3-1-0 comprised of wins against Canisius, Niagara, and RIT as well as a loss to Mercyhurst.
- Cole Gunner leads Air Force with five goals in the eight games played this season.
- Chad Demers paces the Falcons with eight goals and ten points having played in every game for Air Force this season.
- Jason Torf has seen action in each of the eight games for Air Force, sporting a record of 5-3-0 with a goals-against average of 2.94 and a .905 save percentage.
Where is Wydo
Junior
Cody Wydo is all over the national rankings through eight games this season. Wydo is currently tied for 56th with 29 shots on goal, tied for 22nd with five power-play points, tied for 18th with 12 points, eighth with a .345 shooting percentage, tied for seventh with one short-handed goal, tied for third with four power-play goals, tied for second with 10 goals, and first with two hat tricks.
RMU has successfully killed off 27 of the 40 penalties they have taken this season. The 67.5 percent success rate is the third lowest in the NCAA as only Niagara and Alabama-Huntsville have a worse number.
Standing Tall in Conference
In the eight games this season, RMU goaltenders have combined for a 3.46 goals-against average and a save percentage of .900. In AHA play, the Colonial netminders have stepped their game up by lowering their goals-against average to 2.59 and raising their save percentage to .920.
Third Period Scoring
The Colonials have found the back of the net during the third period in each of the previous six games. This season, RMU has outscored its opponents, 10-4 in the final frame.
Surviving the Second Period
The second period has been a period of nightmares for Robert Morris this season. Through the first five games, RMU goaltenders have recorded a 6.00 goals-against average and an .843 save percentage. In the first and third periods, the Colonials netminders have a 2.25 goals-against average and a save perecntage of .932 in the first and third periods.
The Defensive Corps
With three underclassmen goaltenders, the defense of Robert Morris will be counted on to stand tall and take pressure off of the trio. Senior defenseman
Andrew Blazek has done just that as he currently leads the team with 19 blocked shots. Blazek's total is the second highest in the AHA and ranks 19th in the nation.
Evan Renwick and his 16 blocked shots also rank in the top-50 nationally.
56 Wins and Counting
This season's senior class needs just ten wins to set a new program record for victories by a class. The graduating class of 2012 holds the current record with 65 victories. This season's group of seniors currently has 56 wins, a number which is the second-most by any graduating class.
The Tenth Season
The 2013-14 season marks the 10th season for the Colonial hockey program. It is the team's fourth season in the Atlantic Hockey Association. Robert Morris has an all-time record of 124-156-40 in its time as a Division I program. Head coach
Derek Schooley has been behind the bench for every season at RMU.
