MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. – RMU men's hockey kicks off conference play with a home-and-home series against Niagara this weekend. The series opener will take place at Clearview Arena on Friday, October 25 at 7:00 PM, with Tim Benz, Mike Prisuta, and Katie Gaus on the call. The second game will be hosted by Niagara on Saturday, October 26 at 7:00 PM. Both games will be streamed live on FloHockey.
RMU LATELY
RMU (2-0-0, 0-0-0 #AHA) started the season strong, sweeping Miami (Ohio) in dominant fashion. In their season opener, RMU netted five unanswered goals en route to a 5-1 victory. Freshman
Trent Wilson had an outstanding debut, scoring the first two goals, while
Trevor LeDonne recorded his first career two-goal game.
Walter Zacher added a fifth goal, and goaltender
Croix Kochendorfer earned his first career win with 23 saves.
In game two, the top line shined as Zacher notched his first career hat trick.
Cameron Garvey dished out three assists, with
Tanner Klimpke adding two.
Michael Craig also scored his first career goal, and Kochendorfer earned his second win. Zacher and Garvey currently lead the team with four points each, while
Dominic Elliott has recorded a team-high seven blocks.
AHA PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Three RMU players received weekly honors from Atlantic Hockey America (AHA) after their standout performances.
Walter Zacher was named Forward of the Week, scoring four goals, including a game-winner. Kochendorfer earned Goaltender of the Week honors, securing two wins with a stellar 1.00 GAA and .960 save percentage.
Trent Wilson was tabbed Rookie of the Week, with two goals and an assist in his debut.
RMU RECEIVES VOTES IN NATIONAL POLL
For the first time since the program's return under head coach
Derek Schooley, RMU received votes in the USCHO Division I Men's Poll.
ALL-TIME VS. NIAGARA
RMU has faced Niagara more than any other opponent, with a 31-37-10 all-time record. The Colonials hold a 17-12-7 advantage at home and are 12-23-3 at Niagara. In their 78 meetings, RMU has averaged 2.95 goals per game against the Purple Eagles, scoring a total of 230 goals. Last season, Niagara won the first two matchups, but RMU responded with two wins later in the season. Notable performers in those games included
Jackson Reineke (2g) and
Gavin Gulash (1g, 1a).
SCOUTING NIAGARA
Niagara (1-2-1, 0-0-0 #AHA) is coming off a 5-4 overtime win against RPI, following a 3-3 tie in the previous game, which Niagara won in a shootout. Senior forward Shane Ott leads the team in points (2g, 4a), while Jay Ahearn tops the team with three goals. On defense, sophomore Ross Roloson leads the team with 10 blocks. In net, graduate goaltender Pierce Charleson has appeared in three games, posting a 3.30 GAA and .894 save percentage.
UP NEXT
Following their conference opener, RMU will host Lindenwood for a non-conference series on November 1-2.
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