Pittsburgh, Pa. –
The top two squads in the College Hockey America (CHA) standings will go head-to-head this weekend, as the No. 7
Robert Morris University women's hockey team heads to Syracuse for a two-game series on Friday, Jan. 27 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 28 at 3 p.m. in Tennity Ice Pavilion.
Last weekend, Robert Morris (16-2-6, 9-1-2) earned three points toward the CHA rankings with a 2-1 overtime win and a 3-3 overtime tie at Mercyhurst. Friday night's 2-1 victory marked the Colonials' first overtime win this season. Six different Colonials contributed points to Saturday's 3-3 draw. Syracuse (9-10-5, 8-2-2) enters the weekend following a sweep of Lindenwood. The Orange allowed zero goals through two games against the Lions.
Robert Morris is one of just two remaining teams (No. 1 Wisconsin) in NCAA Division I women's hockey with only two losses this season. Four points are on the line this weekend, and all four would be crucial for the Colonials to capture. RMU maintains a slim, two-point lead over Syracuse, and a six-point edge over third-place Penn State.
| ROBERT MORRIS AT SYRACUSE |
| FRIDAY, JANUARY 27 |
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Puck Drop |
Live Stream |
Live Stats |
| ROBERT MORRIS | SYRACUSE |
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7:00 p.m. |
Cuse.com |
Sidearm |
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| SATURDAY, JANUARY 28 |
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| ROBERT MORRIS | SYRACUSE |
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3:00 p.m. |
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Sidearm |
Robert Morris versus Syracuse
Syracuse | 9-10-5, 8-2-2 (CHA)
Robert Morris is 11-14-9 all-time against Syracuse. Earlier this season, the Colonials tied the Orange in overtime, 2-2, then went on to defeat Syracuse, 2-1, the next day.
Key Notes
Robert Morris is set to face league opponents in the remaining eight games of the regular season.
The Colonials currently lead the CHA standings by two points, ahead of Syracuse (9-10-5, 8-2-2) and Penn State (6-15-5, 5-5-2).
Top-line trio
Amber Rennie,
Brittany Howard and
Jaycee Gebhard have combined for 93 points through 24 games, averaging 3.88 points per game.
Redshirt junior forward and CHA Player of the Month (Nov., Dec.)
Brittany Howard ranks among the top five nationally in points per game (t-4th; 1.62), assists per game (t-3rd; 1.00), and power-play points (t-4th; 13).
Freshman forward and CHA Rookie of the Month (Oct., Nov., Dec.)
Jaycee Gebhard leads the nation in power-play goals (seven) and ranks first in points per game among rookies (1.38).
Robert Morris is 7-1-2 overall on the road this season, and is undefeated in CHA road games (5-0-1).
National Radar
For the third-straight week, Robert Morris is ranked at a program-record No. 7 in the USCHO.com Poll, and holds a program-best No. 7 spot in the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Poll.
Top Talent
RMU ranks second in the nation in penalty kills (124), second in power-play goals (25), eighth in power-play percentage (17.5%), eighth in goals per game (3.33), ninth in goals for (80), and ninth in goal margin (+27), and goal margin per game (+1.12).
Getting It Done
Sophomore defenseman
Kirsten Welsh leads all Division I defensemen in goals (nine). She and fellow sophomore defenseman
Maggie LaGue are tied for ninth in points per game among defensemen (0.71).
Trending
Redshirt junior
Brittany Howard has posted a point in 21 of 24 games on the season. She leads RMU with 39 points, 15 goals, and 24 assists. Junior forward
Amanda Pantaleo has scored nine goals in her last 12 games. Freshman forward
Jaycee Gebhard is riding a career-high seven-game point streak.
Milestone Watch
Redshirt junior forward
Brittany Howard is now tied with Brianna Delaney for third place all-time in individual career points (121). She is two points shy of taking over second place on the career points list. She is also five goals short of improving to second place on the all-time career goals list at RMU.
Follow RMU Women's Hockey:
@RMUWHockey
@rmuwhockey
Robert Morris University Athletics
