WEST POINT, N.Y. – Backed by a standout performance from sophomore goaltender Lucas Massie, the RMU men's hockey team blanked Army, 3-0, in the series finale at Tate Rink. With the victory, the Colonials secured the series win, earning four of six points over the weekend. RMU improves to 5-15-2 overall and 5-8-1 in Atlantic Hockey America (AHA) play.
 
FIRST PERIOD
The opening 20 minutes featured a fast-paced, physical start as both teams generated quality scoring chances, but neither side was able to break through.
 
Each team earned one power-play opportunity in the period, though both penalty-kill units stood strong. Shots were even at 13-13 after one.
 
SECOND PERIOD
RMU opened the scoring three minutes into the middle frame during four-on-four action. Dominic Elliott fired a shot through traffic and past the Army netminder to give the Colonials a 1-0 lead, with Cameron Garvey earning the assist.
 
The Colonials wasted no time building on the momentum. Just 23 seconds later, Gabriel Lunn delivered a cross-ice feed to Luke van Why, who snapped home his first goal of the season. Braden Rourke picked up the secondary assist on the play.
 
RMU controlled the remainder of the period, limiting Army's offensive-zone time and outshooting the Black Knights 18-4 in the frame.
 
THIRD PERIOD
The Colonials continued to dictate play in the final period, holding a 14-5 edge in shots. Army mounted a late push, earning two power plays in the final five minutes, including a 5-on-3 opportunity.
 
RMU's defensive unit stood firm, preserving the shutout. With under two minutes remaining, Tanner Klimpke sealed the victory with an empty-net goal, securing the 3-0 win.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• RMU outshot Army, 45-22. Junior forward Jackson Reineke led the Colonials with seven shots on goal.
• Elliott, Klimpke and Rourke each posted a team-best plus/minus of +2.
• RMU won 37 of 63 faceoffs. Garvey led the way with 12 wins, while all four centers finished above 50 percent.
• The Colonials blocked 11 shots on the night.
• Both teams were held scoreless on the power play, with Army going 0-for-3 and RMU finishing 0-for-5.

 
FIRST CAREER SHUTOUT
Massie earned his first career shutout and his first win as a Colonial, stopping all 22 shots he faced. The Claremont, Calif., native has recorded 70 saves this season and owns a .909 save percentage.
 
OFFENSIVE DEFENSEMEN
RMU saw two defensemen score in the same game for the second time this season, as Elliott and van Why found the back of the net. The Colonials previously accomplished the feat at Mercyhurst on Nov. 28 in a 3-1 victory when Gabriel Lunn and Michael Craig scored. Elliott's tally marked the first game-winning goal by a defenseman this season for RMU.
 
BLOCK PARTY
Freshman defenseman John Babcock blocked a team-high five shots, marking his fifth consecutive game leading RMU in blocks, with all five games featuring at least five blocks. He posted a season-high nine blocks in the series opener at Army. Now up to 60 blocked shots on the season, the North Vancouver, B.C., native leads all of Atlantic Hockey America.
 
UP NEXT
RMU opens a six-game homestand next weekend, hosting Holy Cross for a two-game series. Game one is set for Friday, January 23, followed by the finale on Saturday, January 24. Both games will begin at 7:00 PM and stream live on SportsNet Pittsburgh and FloHockey.
 
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