MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. – The RMU men's hockey team returns to Atlantic Hockey America (AHA) play this weekend, hosting RIT for a two-game series at Clearview Arena. The opener is set for Friday, November 14 at 7:00 PM, with the finale following on Saturday, November 15 at 7:00 PM. Both games will stream live on FloHockey with commentary from Tim Benz and Mike Prisuta. Saturday night's contest will also air on SportsNet Pittsburgh.
RMU LATELY
RMU (2-5-1, 2-0-0 AHA) is coming off a tightly contested non-conference series against LIU, falling by scores of 6-3 and 2-0.
Patrick Johnson,
Cameron Garvey, and
Dominic Elliott each scored against the Sharks, while
Braden Rourke,
Connor Gourley,
Trent Wilson,
Tanner Klimpke,
Dario Beljo, and
John Babcock all contributed assists. With Johnson's goal in the opener, RMU extended its streak of scoring the first goal of the game to seven straight contests.
Through eight games, freshman
Bruce McDonald leads the Colonials in both assists and total points (7). Klimpke and
Jackson Reineke share the team lead in goals with three apiece, while defenseman
Greg Japchen boasts a team-best +2 rating.
John Babcock anchors the defensive effort with 17 blocked shots. Between the pipes, freshman
Charlie Schenkel has started all eight games, earning two wins with a .891 save percentage.
MILESTONE WATCH
Senior forward
Ryan Taylor is set to reach a major career mark this Friday night, skating in his 100th career game. The St. Louis, Mo. native has totaled 23 goals, 25 assists, and 48 points through 99 games.
Meanwhile, Head Coach
Derek Schooley recently coached his 700th career game behind the RMU bench. Now in his 20
th season, Schooley stands just two wins shy of the 300-win milestone.
ALL-TIME VS. RIT
Since the series began in 2005, RMU holds a 17-26-6 record against the Tigers, averaging 3.04 goals per game. The two programs split last year's four-game set, with the Colonials earning decisive wins of 7-3 and 6-1, while RIT claimed victories of 4-3 (OT) and 3-2.
Several returning Colonials produced strong numbers against RIT last season.
Tanner Klimpke totaled two goals and six assists, highlighted by a career-best four-point performance.
Michael Felsing dished out five assists, while
Trent Wilson added two goals and two assists across the series.
SCOUTING THE TIGERS
RIT (7-2-0, 4-2-0 AHA) enters the weekend riding a seven-game win streak, including sweeps over Mercyhurst, Colgate, and Air Force, plus a single victory against Clarkson. The Tigers' recent surge has earned them votes in national polls.
Junior forward Christian Catalano leads the team with nine points (4G, 5A), while senior Tyler Mahan paces RIT in goals with five. Catalano, along with Simon Isabelle, Crossley Stewart, and Tristan Allen, each have five assists. On the blue line, Kevin Scott owns the team's top plus/minus rating at +9 and has registered 15 blocked shots. In goal, sophomore Jakub Krbecek has started eight games, posting a 7-1 record with a .945 save percentage and 1.50 goals-against average.
UP NEXT
RMU will step back into non-conference action next week with a road trip to Lindenwood. The Colonials and Lions will meet on Friday, November 21 at 7:00 PM and Saturday, November 22 at 6:00 PM.
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