PITTSBURGH, Pa. - The No. 20 Robert Morris University Colonials erased a two-goal deficit with under seven minutes to play to earn their eighth straight conference win Saturday night, taking down Niagara 5-4 in overtime.
Aidan Spellacy played the OT hero as RMU knocked off the Purple Eagles for the second consecutive game in overtime to push their win streak to eight AHA wins.
For a team that's grown accustomed to striking quick this season, the Colonials found themselves in an unfamiliar position after 20 minutes of play Saturday when they went into the locker rooms following a scoreless first period.
Despite a few open looks including point-blank chances from Nick Lalonde and Nick Jenny in-tight, RMU was held off the scoresheet in the first period for just the second time this season.
Nine saves from Noah West including several on a late power-play for Niagara kept it scoreless both ways.
Kyler Head would finally open the scoring minutes into the second, getting his first collegiate goal off of a nice re-direct of Brendon Michaelian's shot in the crease to give RMU the opening goal for the 11th time this season.
Though Niagara managed a quick equalizer, another RMU freshman came up in the clutch for the Colonials to get the lead back when David Lafrance beat Mike Corson after the net minder kicked out a huge rebound to the streaking defenseman who was driving hard to the net on a rush.
While two separate instances of offsetting minors opened up the ice for much of the final ten minutes the score held at 2-1 after 40 minutes of play.
Niagara leveled the score again to open up the third, answering back with a goal from Justin Kendall from they slot that just managed to sneak through the pads pf West off of a regroup at the RMU blue line.
After playing from behind much of the game, Niagara finally grabbed its first lead of the game when Ludwig Stenlund beat West from a sharp angle near the right post.
After the Purple Eagles added one more for good measure it looked like RMU was destined for its second conference loss, a Colonial offense that has been explosive all season managed to find some more magic.
After a couple great shifts from the line of Cameron Hebert, Kyler Head and Gavin Gulash, Nick Prkusic cut it to 4-3 after a 2-on-1 rush with Randy Hernandez after the freshman dished a perfect pass through the crease for a one-touch goal.
With one minute left Hernandez brought the Colonials all the way back with a ripper from the high slot to force overtime.
Aidan Spellacy put the capper on an incredible comeback with a perfect shot that beat Corson low blocker and secured a big two points for RMU in overtime.
SCORING PLAYS
Head, 2:37, 2nd - Assists: Michaelian, C. Hebert
Kendall, 4:26, 2nd - Assists: Naumovski
Lafrance, 4:49, 2nd - Assists: Spellacy, Lalonde
Kendall, 1:39, 3rd - Assists: Naumovski
Stenlund, 7:53, 3rd - Assists: Gorscak
Gorscak, 10:07, 3rd (SH) - Assists: Zielinski
Prkusic, 14:23, 3rd - Assists: Hernandez, Kramer
Hernandez, 19:00, 3rd - Assists: Prkusic, Jenny
Spellacy, 2:47, OT - Unassisted
QUICK HITS
RMU wins its 8th straight AHA game…first career OT winner for Spellacy…first career NCAA goals for Lafrance and Head…second consecutive overtime win for RMU…Dyllan Lubbesmeyer earned the win in goal in relief of West...10-3 is best start in program history through 13 games...Colonials improve to 9-2 when scoring first
QUOTABLES
"We just found a way to gut it out and step two points. That was a tired hockey team in the third, and we didn't do a good enough job managing the puck which I think comes back to the mental side. We've got guys that are good offensive players and they made plays for us." - Head Coach Derek Schooley
NEXT UP
RMU closes out the weekend series tomorrow against Niagara at 4 p.m. at Clearview Arena.
