No. 20 ROBERT MORRIS (8-1-3, 6-1-3 AHC) vs. SACRED HEART (5-6-2, 4-4-2 AHC)
Friday, Dec. 1 & Saturday, Dec. 2 at 7:05 p.m. both nights | 84 Lumber Arena, Pittsburgh, Pa.
Listen: 970 AM or 970espn.com - Steve Kolbe (play-by-play) and Mike Prisuta/Peter Taglianetti (analysis)

THE MATCHUP
The 20th-ranked Robert Morris University Colonials return to the ice after their Thanksgiving off week, hosting Sacred Heart to begin the final four-game stretch before the semester break. RMU (6-1-3 AHC, 15 points) holds a three-point lead for first place in the Atlantic Hockey Conference, while the visiting Pioneers are tied with Army for fourth with 10 points (4-4-2).

ABOUT ROBERT MORRIS
-  In previous action, Robert Morris needed a three-goal third period to force a 5-5 tie at American International on Nov. 21. The Colonials kept the pedal down the next day, securing a dominant 6-0 victory to stay unbeaten on the road at 3-0-2.
- The line of David Friedmann, Brady Ferguson and Daniel Leavens continues to churn out points, combining for 11 (6g, 5a) on the weekend at AIC. The junior Friedmann bagged his first NCAA hat trick Nov. 22, while sophomore Leavens had a two-goal game the night before. Ferguson had four points (1g, 3a) in the two games, giving the freshman 12 points in 11 contests this season.
- RMU outshot AIC by a combined count of 84-53, including a season-high 52 shots on Nov. 21. The Colonials also controlled the faceoff circle, winning 91 of 151 draws (60 percent success rate).
- Friedmann, goalie Terry Shafer and defenseman Rob Mann each earned Atlantic Hockey weekly honors for their performances at AIC. Shafer picked up his first shutout of the season Nov. 22, and Mann collected the Defensive Player of the Week prize with five blocked shots, two points (1g, 1a) and a plus-5 rating.
- After burying 11 goals against AIC, RMU became the highest-scoring team in Division I with 3.83 goals per game. The Colonials remain in the top 10 in goals-against average (1.83 - 8th).
- RMU swept Sacred Heart last January in Connecticut, starting their torrid second-half run. The Colonials are 25-7-6 since that two-game series, which featured twin 2-1 victories.
- FUN FACT: RMU tied a program record with its third consecutive overtime game Nov. 21.

SCOUTING SACRED HEART
- Like the Colonials, the visiting Pioneers are coming off an idle weekend, as they last played Nov. 21-22 at RIT, splitting a pair to remain .500 in Atlantic Hockey play.
- Although they finished 10th in the AHC standings last season, the Pioneers are in the race as December begins. Sacred Heart went 3-1-2 in November after winning just two of its first seven games.
- Led by sixth-year coach C.J. Marottolo, the Pioneers have done their best work on the road, going 4-2-1 away from the Milford Ice Pavilion. That record will be challenged at 84 Lumber Arena, where RMU is 5-1-1 this season.
- Junior Zach Luczyk has nearly been on a point-per-game pace this season, getting 12 (5g, 7a) in Sacred Heart's 13 contests. The fiesty forward also leads the Pioneers in penalty minutes with 38.
- The line of Drew George, Evan Jasper and Ben Lake have combined to create at least one goal in each of the past four games. George, a senior, carries a five-game point streak and is tied for the team lead with five goals.
- Much like RMU, Sacred Heart is operating a time share in the goal crease, with senior Andrew Bodnarchuk (.925 SV% in seven starts) and junior Alex Vazzano (.912 in six starts) both handling their responsibilities well.

COLONIALS IN THE MEDIA
Recap: Colonials use three-goal third period to force tie at AIC
Recap: RMU dominant in swatting Yellow Jackets to close weekend
Feature: Upon further review, video study improves Colonials' team defense
Web Story: Robert Morris returns to USCHO top 20
Prisuta on Pucks: Pikul reminds that RMU is a three-goalie team
Pristua on Pucks: Colonials have established winning blueprint
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: RMU's tandem system working well in goal
RMU Sentry Media: Friedmann and Co. have breakout weekend at AIC

A Banner Year: The calendar year 2014 has seen the Colonials rise from the bottom of the Atlantic Hockey Conference to a league title and NCAA Tournament appearance, followed by a scintillating start to the 2014-15 season. Since beating Sacred Heart 2-1 on Jan. 3, RMU is 25-7-6 for a .736 points percentage. The Colonials have also been the highest-scoring program in the nation over that span, netting 147 goals in 38 games for a potent 3.87 goals-per-game average.

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. As of Dec. 1, the Colonials have been ranked in four of the past five USCHO polls, a program first.

Possessing the Puck: Thus far this season, RMU has launched 50 percent of the shot attempts in its games, a measurement known as Corsi. The metric called Fenwick factors out blocked shots. Since the Colonials make that a big part of their defensive game, it's no surprise they fare better there, at 53 percent. In terms of shots on goal, RMU has owned 55 percent of those.

GAME NOTES