PITTSBURGH -- Hope of a season-opening split fell flat on Sunday afternoon for the Robert Morris University men's hockey team, as Michigan Tech secured a 7-0 victory and a series sweep at the Island Sports Center.

Less than a full day after edging RMU in overtime in the season opener, the visiting Huskies (2-0-0) scored five goals in the opening period, putting the Colonials up against it before they could settle in. RMU dropped to 0-2 for the first time since the start of the 2013-14 season, the only other time that's happened in team history.

"We wanted to put ourselves in position for the next four conference games," head coach Derek Schooley said about the series against one of college hockey's stronger programs. Michigan Tech has made three of the past five NCAA tournaments and is a collective 40 games over .500 since 2014-15.
 
"We realize we have to be better in some areas," Schooley continued. "We didn't give ourselves a fighting chance. We just have to make sure we don't let things go sideways (in the future)."

🗣"Just hoping it's a learning weekend. We want to build off last night, because we played pretty well."

Coach @derekschooley discusses the series vs. Michigan Tech and areas of improvement heading into @Atlantic_Hockey play ... pic.twitter.com/jzJY7ZgkE4

— RMU Men's Hockey (@RMUMHockey) October 6, 2019

Michigan Tech sophomore Alec Broetzman netted a natural hat trick over a nine-minute span in the first period, relying on an accurate one-timer from the middle of the ice. Broetzman added an assist on Parker Saretsky's goal with 1:10 to go before intermission, at which point junior Dyllan Lubbesmeyer replaced sophomore starter Reid Cooper in the RMU crease.

At the offensive end, the Colonials generated 25 shots on goal, not counting three that dinged the crossbar. Luke Lynch, Brendon Michaelian and Nick Lalonde were each denied by the iron, emblematic of a tough day at the rink. Junior Nick Prkusic led the Colonials with six shot attempts, four of those on target.

"We defended much better after the first period, but we've gotta find a way to score some goals," Schooley said. "We have a lot of good hockey players who've scored a lot in the past, so I'm hoping this is just a learning weekend and we'll go from here."

Overall, RMU was limited to one goal over the weekend on 60 shots, so Huskies senior goalie Matt Jurusik deserves some credit for the scoring struggle. The Colonials actually outshot Michigan Tech by two in the series, so the flow of play wasn't indicative of the score line.

"I thought we had enough shots and chances, but their goalie was outstanding," Schooley said. "We just can't allow as many easy goals."

The Colonials also went 0 for 8 on the power play across the two games, while allowing three PPGs on nine Michigan Tech opportunities, plus Saturday's short-handed game-winner. Special teams will have to be better when Atlantic Hockey rival Bentley visits next weekend.

Following these first-ever matchups against Michigan Tech, the focus will be forward for RMU. Since the Colonials will play four straight road games after the Bentley series, there will be urgency to grow from this weekend's experience against strong opposition.

"It's disappointing because last night we played really well," Schooley said. "We'll have to build off that and not this one."

Next weekend's faceoffs against Bentley are set for 7:05 p.m. Friday and 5:05 p.m. Saturday.