Buffalo, NY - Robert Morris University men's hockey used a pair of goals by sophomore Alex Tonge and 34 saves by freshman goaltender Francis Marotte, to reach a 2-2 draw with Canisius College on Saturday night.

The Colonials jumped out to a 1-0 lead on a power play goal by Tonge 8:23 into the first period. Eric Israel carried the puck up the ice, passing to Daniel Leavens who carried the puck into the zone. They both picked up assists on the play after Tonge took the pass from Leavens and fired it off the post and past Griffins goaltender Charles Williams. 

Canisius evened the game in the second period with a power play goal of its own. Ryan Schmelzer sent in his first goal of the night to make it a 1-1 game. That would be the lone goal surrendered during a Colonials penalty kill, with the unit responding for a stronger performance after Friday's woes.

The Griffins took their first lead of the game with an even-strength goal 8:15 into the third period, the second of the night from Schmelzer.

A boarding penalty by Canisius followed by Schmelzer's ejection for contact to the head of Leavens, set the Colonials up with a lenghty 5-on-3 opportunity and RMU capitalized. Brady Ferguson sent a pass down low to Tonge who blasted a one-timer from the right side of the net past Williams to knot the game 2-2. Jacob Coleman picked up the second assist, his second point on an assist this weekend. Ferguson's helper gives the junior forward a four-game point streak to start the season.

Robert Morris had trailed in shots 24-11 through two periods but used the lengthy power play and puck possession time in the third to level the shots. The Colonials put the puck on goal 20 times in the third, but neither team could grab the go-ahead goal.

Marotte, playing in his third game for the Colonials, made his first start Saturday night following two relief appearances. The freshman from Quebec made 34 stops, seemingly with ease, turning aside double-digit shots in the first three periods of play and two in overtime. The teams combined for five shots in overtime and settled for the 2-2 tie.
 
Robert Morris (1-2-1) opens its home slate with a series against Army West Point on Friday, October 28 at 7:05pm at 84 Lumber Arena in Pittsburgh. On Friday, the first 800 fans receive a magnet schedule, courtesy of Mario's Family Italian Restaurant. Saturday's 7:05pm game against the Black Knights will be followed by "Skate with the Colonials." Fans can bring their own skates or rent them from the Island Sports Center for $3. Tickets are available by calling 412-397-4949 or visiting RMUtickets.com


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