Pittsburgh, Pa. – The Robert Morris University men's hockey team topped the University of Guelph 5-3 in an exhibition Sunday.

The Colonials were quick on the draw from the initial drop of the puck. Daniel Leavens took a faceoff win by RMU's 2014-15 Rookie of the Year Brady Ferguson, passing to David Friedmann who skated in, firing a wrist shot from between the top of the circles past Gryphons netminder Keith Hamilton. Friedmann's goal came just 11 seconds into the game.

The quick shot from the senior set the tone for a fast-paced first period. Just 2:42 after Friedmann's goal, the Gryphons responded with a goal by Tryg Strand to tie the game 1-1.

Midway through the first period, the Colonials power play unit generated more offense. Greg Gibson and freshman Alex Tonge set up returning leading scorer Zac Lynch on the doorstep where he batted the puck home to give RMU a 2-1 lead it would carry into the second period.

Guelph, the third place collegiate team in Canada last season (bronze at CIS University Cup), dominated play for much of the second period. The Gryphons netted goals from Rob De Fullviis and Stephen Hiff to take a 3-2 lead, holding the Colonials to four shots on goal in the frame.

But the third period was controlled by Robert Morris. Senior defender Chase Golightly roofed a shot over the shoulder of Guelph goaltender Scott Stajcer just 32 seconds into the final period, tying the game 3-3. Stajcer, a 2009 NHL draft pick of the New York Rangers, played professional hockey from 2012-2014 in both the ECHL and AHL.

The Colonials had four power play opportunities in the third period, capitalizing when Lynch dished to Tyson Wilson who fired home a slap shot that would prove to be the game-winning goal. 14 seconds later, freshman Brandon Watt connected with fellow newcomer Kyle Horsman to close out the scoring.

After netting just four shots on goal in the second, the Colonials exploded for 21 in the third period, led by Gibson with four in the frame, six total.

The Colonials rotated goaltenders during the exhibition contest, with Terry Shafer, Dalton Izyk and Andrew Pikul each playing 20:00. Pikul takes home the win, making 11 saves to shutout the Gryphons in the third period, logging more ice time today than his season total in his freshman campaign (15:18). The senior Shafer made 10 saves on 11 shots, while Izyk made 8 saves on 10 shots.

NOTES AND QUOTES

RMU fired 42 shots on goal, to Guelph's 32. The Colonials blocked a total of 12 shots with John Rey and freshman Eric Israel each blocking two.

Freshman forwards contributed on four of the five goals. Alex Tonge had three assists while Brandon Watt assisted on Kyle Horsman's goal.

Though it won't count as part of the official record because of the game's exhibition status, David Friedmann's goal 11 seconds into the game would break the record as the quickest goal to start a game for the Colonials in their history at 84 Lumber Arena. The actual record is 36 seconds on a goal by Greg Gibson, assisted by Brandon Denham in last season's 5-3 win over American International on January 16, 2015.

RMU's 5-3 victory over Guelph is the second exhibition loss to and NCAA team for the Gryphons in the last three days. Notre Dame also picked up a two-goal win 7-5 over Guelph on Friday night.

After the game, Head Coach Derek Schooley said:

"It was good to see our guys play a game. It was good to get everybody into the game and play significant minutes and be prepared for next weekend when we have a real game against Air Force."

"Anytime you start off a game and score 11 seconds in, and that was Ferguson, Friedmann and Leavens, you can see the chemistry that they had, but as the game went on, you could see the chemistry developing between the players."

The 5-3 exhibition win on home ice was the first game test for Head Coach Derek Schooley's Colonials. The regular season begins with Atlantic Hockey conference play on Friday, October 16 as Robert Morris welcomes Air Force for a two-game home opening series.

Tickets are available by calling 412-397-4949 or visiting RMUtickets.com

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