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Robert Morris University Athletics

gibson lynch celebration rmu men's hockey
Fred Vuich/For RMU Athletics
2
Winner Robert Morris RMU 17-7-4, 14-4-4 AHC
1
Sacred Heart SHU 10-16-4, 8-13-3 AHC
Winner
Robert Morris RMU
17-7-4, 14-4-4 AHC
2
Final
1
Sacred Heart SHU
10-16-4, 8-13-3 AHC
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 F
Robert Morris RMU 1 1 0 2
Sacred Heart SHU 0 1 0 1

Game Recap: Men's Hockey |

Lynch and Gibson Score as Colonials Sweep

Pittsburgh, Pa. – Robert Morris University men's hockey scores a 2-1 victory over Sacred Heart to reach a milestone for the Colonials senior class. With the victory, the class of 2016 recorded its' 80th win, tying last years' graduating seniors as the winningest class in program history.

Zac Lynch scored an unassisted goal for the second night in a row to maintain his spot atop Atlantic Hockey in scoring, while Greg Gibson pulled ahead of his teammate with his 20th goal of the season to take sole possession of first on the conference goals leaderboard.

Robert Morris struck first as Lynch continues to build his lead in the Colonials record book. The Pittsburgh-native jumped in to take the puck from the Pioneers who were on a power play, raced up the ice with a two-on-one and took the shot himself, burying his NCAA-best sixth shorthanded goal of the season, adding to his RMU record with the twelfth of his career.

"I like to put myself in opportunities to create turnovers and turn them into chances," said Lynch, who scored unassisted after forcing turnovers on back to back nights. "A little bit of it has to do with being in the right place at the right time but I was fortunate to capitalize on a couple this weekend."

Colonials leading 1-0 to start the second but Sacred Heart wasting no time capitalizing on chances. Zach Luczyk nets a power play goal to tie the game at one. Midway through the frame, Justin Danforth breaks up the ice on a four-on-four situation but Terry Shafer knocks the puck down with his glove to keep Danforth off the board and the game tied at one apiece.

Before a penalty-ridden second period came to a close, the Colonials found an edge with a sustained possession. A shot by Spencer Dorowicz is kept out and deflects behind the net to Eric Israel. The freshman defenseman passes through traffic to Gibson and he fires the puck to the back of the net directly over the shoulder of Pioneers netminder Brett Magnus to put the Colonials on top 2-1.

Tensions ran high in the third period with each team recording misconduct penalties, combining for a game-total of 75 penalty minutes and 24 infractions. Gibson sustained a heavy hit by Sacred Heart's Mitch Nylen who was assessed a major penalty for charging and was ejected with a game misconduct.

Penalties aside, the Colonials battled throughout the third period fighting for a two-goal lead but they wouldn't need it. Shafer continued to stand tall in net sliding across the crease to keep a shot by Danforth out with his leg, then stonewalling the Pioneers on a shorthanded chance in the final five minutes. Shafer finished the night with 26 saves and his twelfth win of the season.

With a two-goal weekend, Lynch (62) is two goals behind Chris Margott ('09) for second place in program history for goals (64). Lynch has amassed 141 points in his career, nine points back of Cody Wydo ('15) and his 150 point mark for first place all-time in scoring at RMU.

"It was not the prettiest game," said Head Coach Derek Schooley. "Half the game was special teams but we found a way to get four points which is the most important thing."

"Sacred Heart is a tough team to play on the road," said Lynch. "To be able to come out with four points after a couple tough battles shows the character we have in this locker room."

With those four points, Robert Morris (17-7-4, 14-4-4 AHC) returns home to face Army West Point next weekend with at least a two-point lead for first place in the Atlantic Hockey Association standings, depending on results of Saturday games involving Rochester Institute of Technology, Air Force Academy and Holy Cross. Friday and Saturday's contests against Army at 84 Lumber Arena in Pittsburgh will both be played at 7:05pm. For tickets, visit RMUtickets.com or call 412-397-4949.


 
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