No. 20 ROBERT MORRIS (7-1-2, 5-1-2 AHC) at AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL (2-7-1, 2-3-1 AHC)
Friday, Nov. 21 at 7:05 p.m. & Saturday, Nov. 22 at 4:05 p.m. | Olympia Ice Center, Springfield, Mass.

THE MATCHUP
Although the 20th-ranked Robert Morris University men's hockey team absorbed its first winless weekend of the season against Air Force, the Colonials are still off to the best 10-game start in program history, with 16 of 20 available points gained (.800 points percentage). RMU now hits the road for the first time in nearly a month, as it challenges American International College in Springfield, Massachusetts.

ABOUT ROBERT MORRIS
- RMU charted new territory last weekend, as it trailed entering the third period in both games. However, the Colonials also rallied on both occasions to force overtime, boosting their third-period scoring advantage to 15-4.
- The third line of David Friedmann, Daniel Leavens and Brady Ferguson combined for six points (2g, 4a) in last Friday's 3-3 tie. Led by freshman Ferguson's four goals and four assists, the trio has piled up 19 points (9g, 10a) so far this season.
- Cody Wydo's spectacular third-period goal Saturday not only set up overtime for the second consecutive game, it also prevented the Colonials from getting shut out for the first time since Jan. 25, 2013 - 68 games ago.
- The Colonials' terrific start has boosted them into the national top 10 in several categories: goals for (3.50 - 8th), goals against (1.70 - 5th), average margin (+1.80 - 3rd), shots per game (36.4 - 3rd) and blocked shots (18.0 - 3rd).
- Individually, Wydo's 14 points (7g, 7a) put him two behind the scoring lead in Atlantic Hockey and Division I overall. Goalie Dalton Izyk remains second in D-I in save percentage (.968), goals-against average (1.00) and shutouts (2).
- RMU remains in first place in the AHC with 12 standings points in eight games, two ahead of surprising Holy Cross for the top spot.

SCOUTING AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL
- The Yellow Jackets return home seeking to break a three-game losing streak. AIC traveled to Ann Arbor last weekend, dropping 5-2 and 6-3 decisions to Michigan .
- The team results weren't what the Jackets were looking for in the Wolverine State, but young forwards Johno May (3a) and David Norris (2g, 1a) enjoyed productive weekends against the Big Ten opponent.
- Sophomore Norris paces AIC with nine points (2g, 7a), while fellow classmate Austin Orszulak (6g, 2a) and freshman May (1g, 7a) are tied for second on the team in scoring. Senior Alexander MacMillan (5g, 2a) is the top point-getter among upperclassmen.
- Defense has been a struggle for the Jackets, who have allowed an even four goals per game and an average of 41 shots per outing. Both rates are in the bottom five of Division I.
- Despite allowing more than their fair share of goals, AIC has gotten serviceable netminding from freshman Alex Murray. The Ontario native has posted a .924 save percentage as the Jackets have gone 2-3-1 in his six starts.
- Now in his 31st season coaching American International, Gary Wright is tied with Michigan's Red Berenson for the longest active tenure in Division I men's hockey. The Vermont grad is 304-558-67 at AIC.

COLONIALS IN THE MEDIA
Recap: Robert Morris rallies from two goals down to earn tie
Recap: Despite superb effort, Colonials suffer first loss in overtime
Web Story: USCHO keeps RMU in top 20 for third consecutive week
Web Story: RMU welcomes four new recruits in fall signing period
Prisuta on Pucks: Colonials answered the bell against Air Force
RMU Sentry Media: 'Wagon' line still rolling through Gibson's injury
Along the Boards: RMU still tops in Atlantic Hockey power rankings

What a Start: By winning their first five games of the 2014-15 season, the Colonials not only established the best start in program history, they also matched their longest win streak in 11 years of Division I hockey. In addition, RMU nine-game unbeaten streak to start (7-0-2) matched its longest ever.

New Heights in the Polls: The Colonials broke into the USCHO.com top 20 on Nov. 3, taking the No. 18 ranking. It was the first time RMU had a number next to its name since 2012-13. RMU bumped up to No. 17 after their off week, which matches an all-time high for the program in any national survey. Although the Colonials dropped to No. 20 on Nov. 17, it was the first time ever they'd been ranked in three straight polls.

Fun While it Lasted: With their 2-1 loss to Air Force on Nov. 15, the Colonials saw an incredible streak come to a sudden end. Previously, RMU had gone unbeaten in 27 consecutive overtime games, posting an 8-0-19 record in such contests after losing at Canisius in extra time on Nov. 20, 2010.

#FancyStats Report: RMU has launched 49 percent of the shot attempts in its games, a measurement known as Corsi. Going by the Fenwick stat, which doesn't factor in blocked shots, the Colonials are at 51 percent. In terms of shots on goal, RMU has owned 54 percent of those through 10 games.

VIDEO PREVIEW
Matt Gajtka from RMU sports information talked about the Air Force series with head coach Derek Schooley and checked in with freshman goalie Andrew Pikul on how he's fitting in with the Colonials program so far:


GAME NOTES