Pittsburgh, Pa. – Robert Morris University men's hockey picked up two points in the Atlantic Hockey conference standings with a 2-1 victory over Air Force (14-8-4, 11-5-2 AHC). Sophomore forward Alex Tonge scored two goals for the Colonials (14-7-3, 10-6-2 AHC) while freshman goaltender Francis Marotte made 24 saves for the win (12-4-2).
 
Tonge opened the scoring just 4:45 into the contest, reversing the start the Colonials had in the first game of the series. The NCAA's sixth-ranked power play came through when Tonge put home his 12th goal of the season to give RMU a 1-0 lead. Timmy Moore and Eric Israel earned assists on the play.

The Colonials defense stood tall in the first period, blocking three shots in the opening nine minutes and seven in the period. Air Force's first shot of the game was registered 9:15 into the first frame. Senior defenseman Rob Mann blocked four shots in the first period, finishing the game with 5, while the team totaled 21 blocks. Part of the defensive effort in the first came from junior defenseman Robert Powers who skated up the ice with Falcons forward Jordan Himley, breaking up the scoring chance to prevent Himley's shot.
 
That solid defense continued into the second period as Mann worked to keep Kyle Mackey out of the net, as Marotte made the play on the puck, five minutes into the frame. Daniel Leavens got in on the block part, sliding in front of the open side of the net on a shot by Evan Feno, saving the goal.

Not long after, Tonge found the back of the net again, this time with Leavens and freshman defenseman Sean Giles crashing around the crease. Tonge's second goal made it a 2-0 lead for RMU at the 9:49 mark, with Giles earning his first career point on the assist.

Air Force gets on the board with a power play goal during a scramble in front of the net, Tyler Ledford eventually punching it in to make it a  2-1 game with 8:56 to play in the 2nd. Marotte kept Air Force from doing any more damage with a glove save on a Himley through a screen, less than a minute after the preview goal. Brandon Watt nearly added to the Colonials lead with a good chance on the rush, but went just wide of the goal.

The teams play an exciting third period, with shots even at seven apiece, but neither team added to their totals, ending the game 2-1.

Robert Morris is on the road next weekend with a series at Holy Cross.


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