LEWISTON, N.Y. - The Robert Morris University men's hockey team closed out 2020 with a 6-1 victory over Niagara University Thursday afternoon at Dwyer Ice Arena.
Ten different skaters recorded at least one point while Noah West turned aside 32 of 33 shots on goal as RMU improves to 4-1 in Atlantic Hockey play.
West was sharp from the opening drop of the puck, coming up with a huge save on an Eric Cooley breakaway less than five minutes in to avert an early hole for the Colonials.
The rookie goaltender continued to stand tall throughout much of the first, withstanding a 17-shot barrage including a number of Grade-A chances from inside the slot.
A few more big stops on an early penalty kill coupled with some efficient clears by the RMU PK unit helped keep the score 0-0.
Despite a 17-5 disparity in attempts, RMU's finishing ability made its presence felt towards the end of the opening frame as Jordan Timmons fired a low, turning shot in the slot past NU keeper Mike Corson for his team-leading seventh goal on just the sixth shot of the game for RMU.
Another penalty to start the second tested RMU yet again, however West remained poised in his crease as another expert kill helped the Colonials persevere the lead.
RMU steadily built momentum at even strength, tilting the ice themselves with some extended zone time after number of good shifts forechecking and disrupting the Purple Eagle breakout.
Through they struggled at times to sustain pressure through the opening 30 minutes, the quick-strike capabilities of the RMU offense blew the game wide open as the second period wound down.
Justin Addamo finished off a pretty passing sequence on the power-play to make it 2-0 before Gavin Gulash picked off a pass in the neutral zone and rifled one high-glove on Corson for his first career NCAA goal just 55 seconds later.
Nick Jenny made it 4-0 with just two seconds remaining in the middle frame, winding and firing a low slapper off the rush for his fourth tally of the year.
Grant Hebert kept the party going 51 seconds into the third with a beautiful effort to make it 5-0, outmuscling a NU defender before walking in and out-waiting Brian Wilson to get a shot off.
Santeri Hartikainen capped off the offensive outburst for RMU, sliding one five-hole to make it 6-0 as RMU cruised to its sixth win of the year.
SCORING PLAYS
Timmons, 19:27, 1st - Assists: Hebert, Kramer
Addamo, 12:02, 2nd (PP) - Assists: Prkusic, Hernandez
Gulash, 12:57, 2nd - Assists: Lafrance, Schaeffer
Jenny, 19:58, 2nd - Kramer, Spellacy
Hebert, 0:51, 3rd - Unassisted
Hartikainen, 3:21, 3rd - Assists: Jenny, Hernandez
Sommer, 12:02, 3rd - Assists: Brandt, Harpur
QUICK HITS
Most goals for RMU in a game since a 6-4 win over Bentley on 11/15/19…ten skaters recorded at least one point for RMU…Gavin Gulash scored his first career NCAA goal…Jenny, Kramer, Hebert and Hernandez all had multi-point games…Grant Hebert leads RMU in scoring with 12 points…West started his fourth straight game in goal and moves to 3-2 on the year…RMU moves to 6-3 overall and 4-1 in AHA play
QUOTABLES
We started out very slow. I thought the first was one of our slowest periods all year and we were saved by outstanding goaltending from Noah West. With that, we found a way to get the lead through one without our best game, and then we found it to start the second. We started to play the way we did against Bowling Green, and obviously we were able to capitalize on our chances. I thought we did a great job to start the third to make it a no-doubter." - Head Coach Derek Schooley
NEXT UP
The Colonials kick off 2021 back in Moon Township when they host the RIT Tigers for a pair on Saturday, January 2 and Sunday, January 3 at Clearview Arena.
