MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. – RMU and Mercyhurst battled wire-to-wire on Saturday night, skating to a 1-1 draw before the Colonials claimed the extra standings point with a 3-2 shootout win. With the result, RMU closes the weekend with five of a possible six points and now sits at 3-9-2 overall and 3-2-1 in Atlantic Hockey America (AHA) play.
 
FIRST PERIOD
The opening 20 minutes unfolded as a tight, defensive frame. Both teams limited time and space in the neutral zone, forcing most offensive possessions to the perimeter.
 
RMU earned the period's only power play but couldn't break through as the teams entered the first intermission scoreless. Shots were nearly even, with RMU holding a slight 10-9 edge.
 
SECOND PERIOD
Mercyhurst struck first five minutes into the middle frame, converting on the power play as Christian Kocsis put the Lakers ahead 1-0.
 
RMU responded with increased pressure throughout the period and nearly equalized at the halfway mark, but Luke van Why's booming slap shot clanged off the pipe.
 
The Colonials controlled the bulk of possession for the remainder of the frame, outshooting the Lakers 15-7, but still trailed heading to the third.
 
THIRD PERIOD
The Colonials continued to tilt the ice and were finally rewarded with five minutes remaining. Captain Michael Craig buried the Teddy Bear Toss goal—his second goal in as many nights—to tie the game 1-1. Michael Felsing picked up the lone assist.
 
RMU dominated shot attempts 11-4 in the period, but the game remained deadlocked after 60 minutes, securing both teams a point.
 
OVERTIME
Three-on-three overtime featured limited chances as RMU continued to control possession. Bruce McDonald registered the lone shot on goal of the extra frame, but neither team found the winner, sending the game to a shootout.
 
SHOOTOUT
The Colonials came up clutch with a trio of finishers: Cameron Garvey, Ryan Taylor, and McKay Hayes each scored on their attempts. Mercyhurst converted twice, but goaltender Charlie Schenkel turned aside two to give RMU the additional conference point.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• RMU outshot Mercyhurst 37-20. Captain Tanner Klimpke led all skaters with six shots.
• The Colonials won 32 of 59 faceoffs (54.2%). Trent Wilson posted a team-high 10 wins (10-16), while McDonald went 9-for-13 (69.2%).
• Defensively, RMU blocked 12 shots. Klimpke, J.R. Ashmead, and van Why contributed two blocks apiece.
• In goal, Schenkel stopped 19 shots.
• Mercyhurst finished 1-for-2 on the power play. RMU went 0-for-2.

 
TEDDY BEAR TOSS GOAL
For the first time in three years, someone other than Cameron Garvey scored the Teddy Bear Toss goal—this time it was captain Michael Craig. The St. Catharines, Ontario native continues to thrive in matchups against Mercyhurst, now totaling nine points (2G, 7A) in six career games versus the Lakers. Craig's career numbers rise to eight goals, 32 assists and 40 points.
 
SHOOTOUT SUCCESS
Saturday's win moves RMU to 2-0 in shootouts this season. Earlier this year, the Colonials defeated Notre Dame 1-0 in a shootout following a 2-2 tie where Garvey also scored in the shootout.
 
UP NEXT
RMU heads west for a road series at Air Force next weekend. The opener is set for Friday, December 5 at 9:00 PM ET, with the finale scheduled for Saturday, December 6 at 6:00 PM ET.
 
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