WEST POINT, N.Y. -- In multiple ways, the Robert Morris University men's hockey team delivered in a challenging position Sunday evening at Tate Rink, topping Army West Point, 3-0, to split the first road weekend of the season.

In handing the Black Knights their first loss, the Colonials improved to 3-1 in Atlantic Hockey competition -- the first time since 2014-15 they've won three of their first four league games.

Beyond that context, though, other circumstances made the program's 250th all-time win more rewarding than most at this time of year.

For one, RMU (3-3-0, 3-1-0 AHA) had to lean on its depth to a large degree with top-six forwards Daniel Mantenuto, Grant Hebert and Nick Prkusic all out due to injury. But not only did all six freshmen play for the second time in three games, three of them registered points, led by Cameron Hebert's goal and assist.

"We challenged the team beforehand," said head coach Derek Schooley, who's been in charge for all 250 of those RMU victories. "Some guys were going to get more opportunity." 

Combine the showing by newcomers with a show-stopping 43-save performance from Justin Kapelmaster, and the Colonials had the necessary ingredients for a weekend split.

Hebert set up classmate Darcy Walsh for his first college goal nine minutes into Sunday's activities, establishing the tone for the afternoon. RMU had lost 4-1 to Army (3-1-0, 1-1-0 AHA) on Saturday night, which put the onus on the visitors to respond in the rematch less than 24 hours later.

For Hebert, who was a scoring star last season with the Johnstown Tomahawks of the junior-level North American Hockey League, the adjustment to college hockey has been challenging. He said that made Sunday's two-point output much-welcomed. 

"It's been tough, for sure," said Hebert, the younger brother of sophomore Grant. "Everyone's much bigger and stronger than back in junior, but each game I play I feel a little better than the last."

Everyone on the RMU bench was feeling better when junior defenseman Nick Jenny pummeled a Justin Addamo centering pass behind Army goalie Trevor Kozlowski with 2:14 left in the first. Jenny's second goal in three games reversed the 20-minute score line from Saturday night.

With the way Kapelmaster was putting the RMU goal on lockdown, a two-goal margin probably felt like 10 to Army. His save percentage rose to .964 with his second shutout in five starts -- the sixth of his four-year college career.

As usual with saves, when they happen is as important as how many. Kapelmaster twice denied Tucker DeYoung on Grade 'A' opportunities late in the first, insuring the Colonials could hit the dressing room with a multi-goal lead. Then, with Army pressing in the second period, Kapelmaster twice left his feet to get his body in front of backdoor shots.

Once Hebert cleaned up a loose puck 12 minutes into the middle frame, RMU was in great position to ride out the rest of regulation. Freshman Garrett Clegg and sophomore Addamo picked up the helpers on that, continuing the trend of the day for the attack.

First-year center Santeri Hartikainen played between Hebert and Walsh for most of the day; that fresh-faced group had no safety net but finished a combined plus-5 with six shot attempts.

"It was our first time together and I already felt like we had chemistry," Hebert said. "I really enjoyed playing with them. Just felt more confident on the puck and making plays."

Unfortunately, the Colonials' penalty-killers got a little too much action for anyone's taste, as the boys in blue were whistled for eight minors, including three in two minutes early in the third.

But, much like in last weekend's twin wins over Bentley, the Colonials killed all of the Army power plays, with help from 17 blocked shots and more calming play from Kapelmaster.

Schooley sounded a word of caution about his team's form, even as he said he was "ecstatic" with getting three regulation results already. To his point, the Colonials haven't fired more than 25 shots on goal in five straight games, and they have allowed 40-plus shots in two of their past three. They've been short-handed a combined 17 times in those two high-volume games for Kapelmaster.

"We're happy with our three wins, but we've got to make sure we do things the right way," Schooley said. "The recipe isn't sustainable long-term. We need to get more shots on goal and we need to stay out of the penalty box."

With nine AHA standings points in the bank, the Colonials will briefly jump out of league play next week when they travel to State College, Pa., to challenge Penn State in a single game Friday, Oct. 25. Faceoff at Pegula Ice Arena is set for 7:05 p.m.