Pittsburgh, Pa. – A hot start propels Robert Morris University men's hockey to a 5-1 victory over Bentley University in Atlantic Hockey conference play Friday night.

The Colonials lead the nation in goals scored in the first five minutes of any period and that trend continued in the series opener against the Falcons. Brady Ferguson took a feed from Matt Cope on the doorstep and Ferguson easily put home his tenth goal of the season to give the Colonials a 1-0 lead. Greg Gibson was quick to follow up, this time on a power play goal, his fifteenth of the season. Zac Lynch brought the puck off the wall to Cope who fed his second helper of the game to Gibson.

In the second period, the Colonials were moving the puck well in front of the net. Chase Golighty's shot kicked out to Denham whose shot attempt wouldn't go, but Spencer Dorowicz picked it up near the crease and found the twine to put Robert Morris up by three. Bentley cashed in on one of its' 43 shots. Drew Callin used a screen to put the puck past Terry Shafer who was poised in net with 42 saves.



Robert Morris' power play prowess continued in the third frame. Daniel Leavens scored his ninth goal of the season, his fifth on the man advantage. Gibson's second goal of the game was also his second power play goal of the night, bringing his tally to six goals on the man advantage this season. Gibson's 16 goals tie him for the team and conference goal lead with his linemate Lynch. Three assists mark a season-high for Cope, who now has 20 points, just one shy of tying a career-high for a season.



The Colonials went three-for-six on the power play, bringing their conversion rate to an NCAA-best 35.3 percent with a nation-leading power play goal total of 31 tallies.

Robert Morris (12-6-3, 9-3-3 AHC) returns to action against Bentley Saturday night at 7:05pm at 84 Lumber Arena. It is Head Coach Derek Schooley bobblehead night. The first 500 fans will take one home, with gates opening at 6:00pm. For tickets, visit RMUtickets.com or call 412-397-4949.