Moon Township, Pa. – The Robert Morris University men's hockey team fell to Bowling Green, 0-3 in Saturday's home opener. The Colonials are 0-1-0 to begin the season and the Falcons move up to 1-0-0 to start their campaign.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Early on, 50 seconds into the first frame, the Falcons jumped ahead with an early goal as Spenser Kersten finished off a loose puck near goal.
A few minutes after the halfway point of the period, Dalton Norris scored an opportunity on the power play, giving Bowling Green a 2-0 lead.
The Falcons kept up the pressure through the first period, as they offered more shots, 19-4 over the Colonials.
Moving along in the game, the Colonials started to find their game and create more dangerous chances. "I thought we got better as the game went along," said head coach Derek Schooley. "I think people could tell that we aren't an expansion team or a relaunch type team, we just have to find a way to play together more and be more connected."
RMU started to build momentum in the second period. By the end of the next 20 minutes, the Colonials pounded on 16 shots compared to the Falcons, 10.
The Colonials put together several opportunities but just couldn't manage to find the back of the net. Freshman
Tanner Klimpke was saved on a breakaway chance as well as a close chance for second line center
Logan Ganie.
The away side found themselves in penalty box trouble as they were called for two major penalties giving RMU more time with the man advantage. On the power play, the offensive side peppered nine shots and hit a few posts but couldn't cash in.
"I think every team this early in the year is learning how to score goals," stated Schooley. "We need to find a way to manufacture goals and if we can do that then we'll be fine."
With time winding down, the Colonials pulled
Chad Veltri from goal to add an extra attacker. Ben Wozney passed it into the empty net with just over two minutes left in the game.
40 MORE SAVES FOR VELTRI
Coming into tonight's game ranked second among active goalies in saves, Pittsburgh's very own
Chad Veltri added more onto his career totals. After stopping 40 shots against the Falcons, Veltri now owns 2,600 career saves.
"From a competitor's standpoint, I would like to save every puck that comes my way," said Veltri. "The best way to bounce back is to stay calm and give your team a chance to win and keep competing."
QUOTABLE
"We'll get into a routine here soon. The emotion was there and we feel that we'll keep building on this and get better every day."
– Head Coach Derek Schooley
"It was a great atmosphere tonight. We thank Pittsburgh and everyone who supported us to bring hockey back. It was an exciting day and the rink looks great."
– Head Coach Derek Schooley
UP NEXT
The Colonials get right back to action tomorrow as they face Bowling Green in this home-and-series. They travel out to Ohio for a 5:00 p.m. puck drop, Sunday night.
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