ROBERT MORRIS (2-0-0, 0-0-0 AHA) vs. NIAGARA (0-2-0, 0-0-0 AHA)
Friday, Oct. 17 at 7:05 p.m. | 84 Lumber Arena, Pittsburgh, Pa.
Saturday, Oct. 18 at 7:05 p.m. | Dwyer Arena, Lewiston, N.Y.
Listen: 970 ESPN (970espn.com) with Steve Kolbe (play-by-play) and Mike Prisuta (analysis) on Friday

THE MATCHUP
Coming off a two-game sweep of Lake Superior State last weekend, Robert Morris University begins Atlantic Hockey play with a home-and-home series against Niagara. The Colonials and Purple Eagles split a four-game season series in 2013-14, although RMU won the most important matchup, 5-4 in the AHA semifinal game March 21. Scott Jacklin netted the overtime game-winner to propel the Colonials to their first Atlantic Hockey title game, which they won over Canisius the following night to clinch a spot in the NCAA tournament.

ABOUT ROBERT MORRIS
- Ten Colonials recorded at least a point on the opening weekend, with five players scoring at least one goal. The top line of Cody Wydo (1g, 2a), Zac Lynch (3a) and Jacklin (2g) combined for eight points vs. the Lakers, continuing their effective play from the second half of last season.
- Goalies Terry Shafer (29 saves) and Dalton Izyk (28) each performed well last weekend, with Izyk recording the shutout Saturday in his first career home start. Izyk won Atlantic Hockey Goalie of the Week for his efforts.
- RMU blocked a combined 39 shots against Lake State, including 25 in the opening game. The Colonials averaged just over 16 blocks per game last season, which ranked sixth in NCAA Division I and third in the conference.
- Four Colonial freshmen made their debuts last weekend, with defensemen Alex Bontje and Robert Powers dressing for both games and forwards Spencer Dorowicz and Brady Ferguson playing a game each.
- RMU connected on two of its final three power plays Saturday after starting the season 0 for 7 on the advantage. The Colonials killed six of seven LSSU power plays.
- Robert Morris is 2-0 for the third time in 11 Division I seasons, matching the early performances of the 2007-08 and 2010-11 Colonials. The latter group went on to win their first four games, establishing the best start in program history.

SCOUTING NIAGARA
- The Purple Eagles had a difficult opening weekend at home, falling to Clarkson 3-1 on Friday before dropping a surprising 10-2 decision to St. Lawrence on Saturday.
- Niagara went 15-20-5 last season, including an 11-11-5 mark in Atlantic Hockey. Much like RMU, the Purple Eagles played their best hockey late, beating American International and Air Force in the AHA playoffs to make the league's final four.
- Niagara returns its top two scorers from last season in junior Hugo Turcotte (13g, 16a in 2013-14) and senior Isaac Kohls (12g, 12a). Sophomore defenseman Vince Muto will look to follow up a 19-point freshman effort, although he will miss the next six to eight weeks with an arm injury.
- Despite that veteran firepower, youngsters handled Niagara's scoring on opening weekend, with freshmen Robert Angiolella and Derian Plouffe netting their first NCAA goals.
- Although sophomore goalie Jackson Teichroeb handled the majority of the action last year, fellow second-year netminder Adrian Ignagni earned the first two starts.
- Niagara is coached by Dave Burkholder, now in his 14th season in western New York. The RIT graduate has a 225-197-55 record in his current role.

COLONIALS IN THE MEDIA
Colonials rise in national polls after two-win weekend
Izyk named season's first Atlantic Hockey Goalie of the Week
Prisuta on Pucks: Colonials battle to fast start vs. LSSU
RMU Sentry Media: Goalies claim dual ownership of net
City of Champions: Rigatti, Lynch keep Pittsburgh pipeline flowing
USCHO.com: RMU led AHA charge against non-conference foes
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Conference crown put Colonials on map

National Recognition: The Colonials earned votes in the USCHO and USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine preseason polls, ranking an unofficial 26th in both surveys. They bumped up to 24th in both after sweeping Lake Superior State on opening weekend.

Izyk Keeps Collecting: After winning the final two conference Goalie of the Week honors for 2013-14, as he posted a .941 save percentage during the Colonials' run to the Atlantic Hockey title, sophomore goalie Izyk earned the first such prize of 2014-15. In his first career start at 84 Lumber Arena, Izyk denied 28 Lake Superior shots for his second collegiate shutout.

Respect From Their Peers: The Colonials were tabbed to finish second in the Atlantic Hockey Association this year in the annual preseason coaches' poll, six points behind league favorite Mercyhurst. The Colonials accumulated three first-place votes as well, helping them to their highest preseason ranking in five AHA campaigns.

Lucky Number 13: Robert Morris has recorded 13 conference wins in each of its first four seasons in the Atlantic Hockey Association. In three of the four seasons, including 2013-14, the Colonials finished fifth in the conference.

Coming Through Late: Robert Morris scored 57 goals in the third period or overtime last season, the third-highest total in the NCAA. The Colonials added three more third-period tallies on opening weekend against Lake Superior State.

VIDEO PREVIEWS
Student-Athlete of the Week Jacklin and coach Derek Schooley joined Matt Gajtka to discuss the team's 2-0 start and the opening of league play:




GAME NOTES