PITTSBURGH, Pa. - The #19 Robert Morris University Colonials completed a series sweep over Long Island University Friday afternoon with a 4-0 win at Clearview Arena.
Noah West earned his first career shutout in goal for the Colonials, making 28 saves on the afternoon.
RMU wasted no time getting on the score sheet Friday, opening things up just 5:51 into the opening frame.
After a two-on-one with
Aidan Spellacy and
Gavin Gulash led to some sustained zone time for the Colonials,
Cameron Hebert recovered a loose puck in the lower left circle before firing through a screen and beating Vinnie Purpura high glove side.
A huge stop from West on a breakaway out of the penalty box helped preserve the early lead for the Colonials, his first major test of the game.
Randy Hernandez made it 2-0 on the power play, redirecting a hard pass from Santeri Hartikainen in the slot across his body and over Purpura's blocker to make it a two-goal cushion after one.
LIU appeared to cut it to a one-goal game in the second after a hard drive to the net from Jack Quinn resulted in the puck finding its way into the back of the net, however it was immediately waived off for goaltender interference.
The Sharks continued to drive to the net with abandon, desperate for some momentum against a relentless but patient Colonials unit, however West continued to hold firm in his crease, denying another stuff attempt from Zack Bross at the near post to keep the Sharks off the scoreboard.
Brendon Michaelian put RMU firmly in the drivers seat with under five left in the middle frame, firing a hard, low shot from near the halfwall for RMU's second power-play goal of the game.
Grant Hebert added a fourth for good measure with under seven to play for their third PP goal of the day while West stopped seven shots in the final frame to cap off his first career shutout and the series sweep for RMU.
SCORING PLAYS
C. Hebert, 5:51, 1st - Assists: Kramer, Schaeffer
Hernandez, 15:32, 1st (PP) - Assists: Hartikainen, Jenny
Michaelian, 16:15, 2nd - Assists: G. Hebert, Kramer
G. Hebert, 12:20, 3rd - Assists: Lalonde, Michaelian
QUICK HITS
First career shutout for West…RMU finishes 4-2 in non-conference play…Grant Hebert and Brendon Michaelian led RMU with two points (1G, 1A)…RMU scored three power-play goals (3-7)
QUOTABLES
"Congratulations to Noah, he made some massive saves when we needed him to. The breakaway in the first period and again in the second with the big pad save on the power play, and then when they had us running around a little in the third he was solid." - Head Coach Derek Schooley
NEXT UP
RMU begins a four-game road swing next week when they head to Buffalo for a pair against Canisius next Friday and Saturday.
