Men's Hockey 10/15/2015 7:06:00 PM

Colonials Primed for Home Opener vs. Air Force

RMU opens the season with Atlantic Hockey play

Pittsburgh, Pa. -- Robert Morris University men's hockey opens the season this Friday, beginning a two-game weekend series with Air Force. The Colonials, picked to win the Atlantic Hockey conference in the preseason coaches' poll, start the regular season as defending AHC regular season champions. Robert Morris is receiving votes in both the USCHO and USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine polls.

WHO: RMU vs. Air Force
WHEN: Friday & Saturday, October 16-17 at 7:05 p.m.
WHERE: 84 Lumber Arena, Pittsburgh, Pa.

FOLLOW THE ACTION:
RADIO: ESPN Pittsburgh 970 AM, 106.3 FM
LIVE STATS: http://www.sidearmstats.com/rmu/mhockey/
LIVE AUDIO (free): http://www.iheart.com/live/970-espn-2013/
LIVE VIDEO ($): http://eversport.tv

RMU returns seven of their top nine forwards from the 2014-15 team, all eight defensemen and all three goaltenders. RMU sports nine seniors in the 2015-16 class, a group that has made an NCAA Tournament appearance, won both Atlantic Hockey regular season and conference tournament titles. Among those seniors are the Colonials captains; redshirt-senior defenseman Tyson Wilson and alternate captains, defenseman Evan Moore and forward Brandon Denham.

Zac Lynch is RMU's leading returning scorer with 102 career points and is tied for 4th in the NCAA in points among active players. Lynch is 5th all-time in career points for the Colonials and 6th in goals. Lynch was voted preseason Atlantic Hockey all-star in the media poll.

RMU played the University of Guelph in an exhibition game on Sunday, October 11, walking away with a 5-3 victory. Five different Colonials scored goals and three freshman recorded points in the contest.

The Colonials graduated the program's all-time leading scorer in forward Cody Wydo. He leaves the program as a 150-point scorer and was in the top ten for the Hobey Baker award last season.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
Air Force beat 5th ranked Denver 5-4 in OT to open its' season on October 9. Junior defenseman Johnny Hrabovsky scored his first career game-winner to beat the Pioneers, who remain ranked (5th & 8th). The Falcons lost game two of the series at Denver 3-1 on October 10. Freshman goaltender Billy Christopolous played both games start to finish for the Falcons.

Air Force has 12 freshmen on the roster, including two goaltenders: Shane Starrett and Billy Christopoulos. The Falcons also have four defensemen: Jake Erickson, Matt Koch, Zach Yoder and Dan Bailey and six forwards: Matt Serratore, Evan Giesler, Kyle Haak, Evan Feno, Evan Okeley, Matt Perry. In the season-opening series against Denver, eight of the 12 freshmen played against the Pioneers.

Freshman Evan Feno leads the team with three points, all assists. Freshman Kyle Haak leads the team with two goals, both in the first game against Denver. Junior defenseman Johnny Hrabovsky scored his first career game-winner to beat Denver, 5-4 in overtime, Oct. 9. Sophomore Dylan Abood scored his first career goal on Oct. 10. Freshman Billy Christopoulos started both games in goal against DU and made 50 saves in the series.

DOWNLOAD COMPLETE GAME NOTES HERE (.PDF)

PROMOTIONS
FRIDAY OCTOBER 16
Free schedule poster (compliments of RMU Corporate Champions) and schedule magnet (Mario's Restaurant)
Sign up in the arena to take the Clearview FCU Skill Shot Challenge...you might win $500!
Free continuous student shuttle between campus -- Lexington/Concord Halls -- and ISC 6-10 pm!

SATURDAY OCTOBER 17
Sign up in the arena to take the Clearview FCU Skill Shot Challenge...you might win $500!
Skate with the Colonials after the game (free with own skates, $2.50 to rent from ISC front desk)

TICKETS
Tickets are still available for this weekend's series by calling 412-397-4949 or visiting RMUtickets.com

SOCIAL
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Players Mentioned

#23 Cody Wydo: F; 5' 11"; Senior; Sr.

#44 Brandon Denham: F; 6' 4"; Senior; Sr.

#27 Zac Lynch: F; 6' 0"; Senior; Sr.

#5 Evan Moore: D; 5' 11"; Senior; Sr.

#10 Tyson Wilson: D; 6' 1"; Redshirt Senior; R-Sr.

Players Mentioned

#23 Cody Wydo
: 5' 11"; Senior; Sr.
: F

#44 Brandon Denham
: 6' 4"; Senior; Sr.
: F

#27 Zac Lynch
: 6' 0"; Senior; Sr.
: F

#5 Evan Moore
: 5' 11"; Senior; Sr.
: D

#10 Tyson Wilson
: 6' 1"; Redshirt Senior; R-Sr.
: D

SATURDAY OCTOBER 17Sign up in the arena to take the Clearview FCU Skill Shot Challenge...you might win $500!Skate with the Colonials after the game (free with own skates, $2.50 to rent from ISC front desk)

TICKETSTickets are still available for this weekend's series by calling 412-397-4949 or visiting RMUtickets.com

Players Mentioned

Players Mentioned

SATURDAY OCTOBER 17
Sign up in the arena to take the Clearview FCU Skill Shot Challenge...you might win $500!
Skate with the Colonials after the game (free with own skates, $2.50 to rent from ISC front desk)

TICKETS
Tickets are still available for this weekend's series by calling 412-397-4949 or visiting RMUtickets.com