MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. – The RMU men's hockey team continues its conference slate this weekend with a home-and-home series against Niagara. The Colonials open the series at Dwyer Arena in Niagara University, N.Y., on Friday, February 14 at 6:00 PM before returning home to host the Purple Eagles on Saturday, February 15 at 7:00 PM at Clearview Arena.
Both games will stream live on FloHockey, with Saturday's contest also airing on SportsNet Pittsburgh. Calling the action on Saturday will be Tim Benz, Mike Prisuta, and Katie Gaus.
LAST TIME OUT
RMU (9-17-4, 6-13-3 AHA) looks to bounce back after a tough weekend at Bentley, where the Colonials fell 1-0 and 6-0. Freshman goaltender
Dawson Smith made his first career start in the series opener, recording 30 saves.
Sophomore forward
Walter Zacher continues to lead RMU in goals (13) and points (21), while captain
Michael Craig paces the team with 14 assists. Captain
Mitch Deelstra has netted a team-high eight power-play goals, and sophomore defenseman
Luke van Why has registered 43 blocked shots.
SERIES HISTORY VS. NIAGARA
Dating back to RMU's inaugural season in 2004, the Colonials have faced Niagara more than any other opponent, meeting 80 times. RMU holds a 31-38-11 (.456) all-time record against the Purple Eagles, including a 12-23-4 mark on the road and a 17-13-7 record at home. The Colonials have averaged 2.96 goals per game in the series, recording three shutouts.
Earlier this season, RMU split a two-game set at Niagara. The Colonials dropped the opener 7-3 before battling to a 4-4 tie in game two, securing the extra point with a shootout victory courtesy of
Walter Zacher.
Michael Craig had a standout weekend, registering his first career two-goal game while adding two assists and a team-high five blocked shots. RMU also saw multi-point efforts over the weekend from
Mitch Deelstra (2g, 1a),
Michael Felsing (1g, 2a),
Cody Monds (1g, 1a),
Trent Wilson (2a), and
Gabriel Lunn (2a).
SCOUTING NIAGARA
Niagara (15-12-3, 13-7-2 AHA) enters the series fresh off a 6-2 win against Canisius earlier this week. The Purple Eagles currently sit fourth in the AHA standings, vying for a first-round bye in the conference playoffs.
Senior forward Jay Ahearn leads Niagara with 15 goals, including a team-best four game-winners. Freshman forward Trevor Hoskin has posted a team-high 22 assists and 33 points. On the defensive end, sophomore Ross Roloson has blocked 56 shots. In goal, graduate netminder Pierce Charleson has started 27 games, recording 15 wins, two shutouts, and a .922 save percentage.
UP NEXT
RMU will close out the regular season with a two-game series against Air Force on February 21-22. The Colonials will honor their seniors on
Saturday, February 22 at 7:00 PM.
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