Robert Morris vs. Canisius
Friday, November 8, 2013 - 7:05 p.m.
84 Lumber Arena (1,200) - Pittsburgh, Pa.
Game #8
Robert Morris vs. RIT
Saturday, November 9, 2013 - 7:05 p.m.
84 Lumber Arena (1,200) - Pittsburgh, Pa.
Video: www.americaonesports.com
Radio: 970 AM ESPN (Fri. Only)
Audio: iHeart - 970 ESPN/Penguins 24/7
Play-by-Play: Tim Benz
Color Commentary: Mike Prisuta
AGAINST CANISIUS
Robert Morris will step back into conference action when the Colonials take on the Canisius Golden Griffins for the 15th time in program history on Friday evening. Â Last season, the two teams met three time, with RMU winning in each of the three games. Â Facing Canisius' top netminder Tony Capobianco in each of the three games, the Colonials would send the goaltender to the showers early in each of the three contests. Â Capobianco recorded a 6.32 goals-against average and a save percentage of .789 while seeing action in 64 percent of the three games. Â Robert Morris goaltender
Terry Shafer earned his only career victory which occured during his second collegiate start when the Colonials visited Canisius on November 9, 2013. Â In the game, Shafer would make 24 saves as RMU shut out the Golden Griffins, 4-0. Â On home ice, the Colonials have not lost to Canisius since October 9, 2005. Â Robert Morris holds a record of 4-2-0 at the 84 Lumber Arena against the Golden Griffins. Â The Colonials earned the program's first-ever victory against the Golden Griffins as RMU defeated Canisius by a score of 3-1 in RMU's first contest as a Division I program on October 22, 2004.
SCOUTING THE GOLDEN GRIFFINS
Canisius claimed the 2012-2013 Atlantic Hockey Postseason Championship after defeating Mercyhurst in the championship contest. Â The Golden Griffins also earned a national ranking before falling in the first round of the NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Championships to Quinnipiac by a score of 4-3. Â Canisius has started the 2013-2014 campaign with a record of 1-4-0 with its lone win coming against a nationally-ranked Denver squad on October 26. Â Four of the five games for the Golden Griffins have come against opponents that have been nationally ranked - their opening contest against then-No. 20 Niagara, the win on the road against then-No. 17 Denver, and most recently two games against then-No. 6 Miami. Â Canisius has dropped both of its conference contests so far this season, losing to Niagara and Air Force. Â As the game progresses for the Golden Griffins, their goal output has declined. Â In the first period, Canisius has scored six goals. Â That total has fallen to four goals in the second frame and two goals in the third period. Â Kyle Gibbons leads Canisius with three goals in the five games played. Â Ben Danford paces the Golden Griffins with six assists and seven points, leading the team in both categories. Â Keegan Asmundson and Tony Capobianco have split time in net for Canisius. Â Asmundson has earned the program's only victory this season while recording a 2.00 goals-against average and a save percentage of .948. Â Capobianco has started three games with a goals-against average of 4.38 and an .893 save percentage.
AGAINST RIT
The Colonials will take on an Atlantic Hockey opponent for the second time in as many days when the RIT Tigers make their way to the 84 Lumber Arena. Â Meeting three times last season, Robert Morris would take two of the three contests, including the program's first victory on the road against the Tigers. Â The victory in Rochester, N.Y. was marked by RMU twice coming back from two-goal deficits for a 6-4 win. Â Hosting the Tigers at the 84 Lumber arena, the Colonials are 5-3-3 including the loss last season. Â In the second of two home games for Robert Morris against RIT in the 2012-2013 season, the Colonials let a third-period lead slip away in a 4-3 loss. Â The loss ended a six-game unbeaten streak for RMU gainst RIT. Â Captain
Colin South has recorded eight points in his eight games against RIT. Â
SCOUTING THE TIGERS
RIT finished the 2012-2013 regular season with a 15-18-5 record and a conference mark of 11-12-4 which was good enough for seventh place in the AHA. Â This season, the Tigers are looking for their first win of the season after starting 0-4-2. Â RIT has earned ties in non-conference matches against Clarkson and Penn State with both games occuring on the road. Â The lone AHA game for RIT was when the Tigers hosted Air Force in a 2-0 loss. Â The Tigers have also faced Colgate and Michigan in non-conference action this season. Â Mike Colavecchia leads RIT with four goals and six points in six games played this season. Â Nolan Descoteaux and Matt Garbowsky have each contributed three assists for the Tigers and share the team lead in the assist category. Â Jordan Ruby has gotten the start in each of the six games for RIT this season. Â Ruby has maintained a 3.59 goals-against average and an .887 save percentage.
CATCHING UP WITH THE COLONIALS
- All Robert Morris home contests and road games against Atlantic Hockey opponents can be seen on AmericaOneSports.com. Â Single game and season packages are available for purchase to watch the Colonials compete in their tenth season.
- All Robert Morris home games have live audio streaming via the iHeartRadio and Penguins Radio 24/7. Â RMU home games are also aired on the radio on WBGG-AM 970 ESPN. Â For a complete schedule, visit RMUColonials.com.
- Become a fan of the Colonials on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RMUHockey. Â Fans can also follow the Colonials on Twitter @RMUHockey to get updates on the team throughout the season.
- A new and improved RMUColonials.com is the place to be for everything RMU Hockey. Â Fans can access the schedule, game previews and recaps, player bios, statistics, and other features found only on RMUColonials.com.
