Pittsburgh, Pa. – The Robert Morris University men's hockey team hosted RIT on Saturday evening looking to carry the momentum after a shutout the previous evening. Despite two power-play goals from Colin South (Sewickley, Pa. / Bay State Breakers), the Colonials let a second-period lead slip away as they fell by a score of 4-3.
Robert Morris opened up the scoring with the first of three power-play goals as junior defenseman Jimmy Geerin (Anchorage, Alaska / Burnaby Express) snuck a wrist shot past the Tigers' netminder for his first goal of the season. The goal was set up by forwards Mac Roy (Chilliwack, British Columbia / University of Alabama-Huntsville) and Zac Lynch (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Bay State Breakers) as RMU took the early 1-0 lead.
The Colonials increased lead as South capitalized on the power play when he fired a shot through a screen to give Robert Morris a two-goal advantage. The puck made its way around the umbrella as passes by Chase Golightly (Temecula, Calif. / Prince George Spruce Kings) and Adam Brace (Cobden, Ontario / Canisius College) set up South's one-timer.
RIT responded with a power-play goal of its own to cut the Robert Morris lead to 2-1 with five minutes remaining in the second period. Less than a minute later, the Colonials would reclaim their two-goal advantage as South netted his second power-play goal of the game. Lynch and sophomore Cody Wydo (Southgate, Mich. / Motor City Metal Jackets) would gather assists on RMU's third goal.
Before the second period ended, RIT would make the score 3-2 while on the power play as the Colonials would carry the one-goal lead in to the locker room after two periods of play. A third power-play goal for RIT would tie the game in the third period. Less than three minutes later, the Tigers would take their first lead of the game on the only even-strength goal scored by either team. Having to play catch up for the first time in the game, Robert Morris was unable to net the game-tying goal in the final nine minutes as the Colonials came up on the short end of a 4-3 score.
Robert Morris would go 3-for-6 with the man advantage while the penalty kill for the Colonials allowed three goals on seven opportunities for RIT. RMU outshot the Tigers, 38-34, as Wydo paced the squad with five shots on goal. Goaltender Eric Levine (Wheeling, Ill. / Pembroke Lumber Kings) stopped 30 of the 34 shots he faced as the senior fell 14-9-2 on the season.
The Colonials take on Niagara next weekend in a home-and-home series against the Purple Eagles. Robert Morris will travel to Niagara on Friday before returning to the 84 Lumber Arena on Saturday for a 7:05 p.m. faceoff.Â