Niagara Falls, NY – A Greg Gibson hat trick was part of a fast start for Robert Morris University men's hockey in an 8-2 victory on the road at Niagara University. Gibson, who netted two goals in Friday's game, scored a pair of goals in the first period as the Colonials took a commanding 4-0 lead through 20 minutes of hockey.

Brady Ferguson opened the scoring, deflecting a shot from the blue line by Tyson Wilson. Gibson notched his first goal of the night when freshman Alex Tonge fed him as the duo skated between the circles. Gibson snapped home the shot to give the Colonials a 2-0 lead 8:19 into the first.

Less than four minutes later, Gibson strikes again. Matt Cope worked the puck behind the net, wrapping a pass out front to Gibson who buried the shot to make it 3-0 RMU. The first power play opportunity for Robert Morris came with less than three minutes remaining in the first. Daniel Leavens fired a shot from the top of the right circle over the shoulder of Guillaume Therien.

RMU begins the second period with a 4-0 lead and heads on the power play midway through the frame. Chase Golightly, working the puck near the blue line, fires a shot deflected in front by Brandon Denham to give the Colonials a 5-0 advantage.

Given another power play opportunity less than two minutes later, Gibson keeps the unit a perfect 3-for-3 on the man advantage. The senior from Burlington, Ontario takes the puck off the wall and shoots it through the legs of Therien, ending the Niagara goaltender's night. The hat trick was the first of Gibson's career and first for Robert Morris since Cody Wydo netted three goals against American International on January 17, 2015.

HIGHLIGHTS AND POSTGAME INTERVIEW WITH GIBSON


Niagara finally broke through the brick wall of Colonials goaltender Terry Shafer, who posted 34 saves in an outstanding performance in net. Sam Rennaker scored to make it 6-1 at the end of the second period.

Robert Morris wasn't done with the scoring yet. In the third, Brandon Denham takes a Niagara turnover and finds Matt Cope driving towards the net and Cope puts home his second goal of the season. Derian Plouffe scored for Niagara to pull the Purple Eagles within five, but they'd get no closer. Daniel Leavens makes it 4-for-4 for the Colonials power play, scoring his second of the game with 7:53 to play.

The 8-2 win for Robert Morris will go into the team scoring record books tied for third in three categories: goals, assists and points.

The Colonials are back on the road once against next weekend as they travel to face #11 Michigan for back to back games.

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