MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. – Despite generating a flurry of chances and holding the edge in shots, the RMU men's hockey team could not solve LIU goaltender Daniel Duris, dropping a tightly contested 2-0 decision in the series finale on Saturday night at Clearview Arena. The Colonials move to 2-5-1 overall to open the 2025-26 campaign.
FIRST PERIOD
The opening 20 minutes featured strong pace and momentum swings, with both teams' creating quality looks but coming up empty. RMU nearly broke the ice at the midway point, as
Greg Japchen ripped a shot off the post—one of the Colonials' best chances of the night.
RMU carried play late, outshooting LIU 12-10 in the frame, and earned a power play heading into the second period after the Sharks took an offensive-zone penalty with less than a minute remaining.
SECOND PERIOD
The middle frame brought special teams to the forefront, with four penalties issued—three minors total and a five-minute major to RMU. LIU capitalized on the extended man advantage at 10:12, as Sixten Jennersjö crashed the crease and tucked home the opening goal.
RMU's penalty kill held strong otherwise, limiting LIU on the remaining opportunities. The Sharks held a narrow 10-9 edge in shots on goal in the period.
THIRD PERIOD
Playing from behind, the Colonials pushed hard in the final frame, generating 14 shots and sustained offensive pressure.
RMU pulled goaltender
Charlie Schenkel for the extra skater with two minutes remaining, but LIU sealed the game with an empty-net marker to secure the series sweep.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- RMU outshot LIU 31-30. John Babock, Tanner Klimpke and George Krotiris each finished with four shots on goal.
- On special teams, the Sharks went 1-for-3 on the power play while the Colonials went 0-for-4.
- Defensively, Babcock and J.R. Ashmead had a team-high three blocks.
- The Colonials won the faceoff battle, 30-23 (56.6%). Trent Wilson won a team-high 13 draws while Bruce McDonald posted the best percentage, winning eight of 10 in the circle (80.0%).
- In net, Charlie Schenkel finished the game with 28 saves.
COLONIAL FIRSTS
Freshmen forwards
Julian Beaumont and
Zeke Nicholson each made their collegiate debut tonight for the Colonials. Beaumont posted three shots while Nicholson had one.
MILESTONE: GAME 700
Saturday marked a significant milestone for Head Coach
Derek Schooley, who coached his 700th game behind the RMU bench. The founding coach of the program, Schooley, now sits at 298 career wins, approaching the 300-win milestone.
UP NEXT
RMU will return to conference play next weekend, hosting RIT. Game one is set for Friday, November 14 at 7:00 PM followed by the series finale on Saturday, November 15 at 7:00 PM. Both games will be at Clearview Arena and stream live on FloHockey. Saturday night's game will also broadcast live on SportsNet Pittsburgh.
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