MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. – The RMU men's hockey team continues Atlantic Hockey America play this weekend with a pivotal home-and-home series against Niagara. The series opener is set for Friday, February 13 at 6:00 PM in Niagara Falls, N.Y., before the two teams conclude the set at Clearview Arena on Saturday, February 14 at 7:00 PM. Both games will stream live on FloHockey, with Saturday's contest also airing on SportsNet Pittsburgh. Commentary on Saturday will be provided by Tim Benz and Mike Prisuta.
 
RMU LATELY
RMU (9-16-3, 9-9-2 AHA) enters the weekend riding momentum after sweeping Canisius and jumping the Golden Griffins in the AHA standings. The Colonials now sit at .500 in conference play and continue to climb the table as the postseason approaches.
 
In game one of last weekend's series, RMU secured a 1-0 victory behind a second-period goal from Dominic Elliott. Charlie Schenkel was stellar in net, stopping all 36 shots he faced to earn his first career shutout.
 
The offense came alive in game two, as the Colonials erupted for six goals in a 6-4 win to complete the sweep. Trent Wilson recorded a two-goal performance, while Connor Gourley, Bruce McDonald, Cameron Garvey and Elliott each found the back of the net. Jackson Reineke and George Krotiris fueled the attack with two assists apiece.
 
Through 28 games, captain Tanner Klimpke leads RMU in both goals (10) and points (17). Garvey and McDonald share the team lead in assists with 10 each. On the defensive end, John Babcock continues to anchor the blue line and leads Atlantic Hockey America with 89 blocked shots. Over his last five series, he has recorded at least eight blocks across each two-game stretch.
 
MILESTONE WATCH
Junior captain Cameron Garvey is set to skate in his 100th career game on Friday night. The Oakville, Ontario native has totaled 24 goals and 28 assists for 52 career points. One of the defining moments of his freshman campaign came in the AHA First Round, when he scored the overtime game-winner against Bentley to send RMU to the Quarterfinal Round.
 
POINT STREAK
Sophomore forward Patrick Johnson brings a three-game point streak into the weekend, matching the second longest stretch of his career. During his freshman season, Johnson scored three goals and two assists over a four-game span. In his current run, he has registered one goal and two assists over the last three contests.
 
ALL-TIME VS. NIAGARA
Niagara is RMU's most frequently played opponent in program history, as the teams have met 84 times. The Colonials hold a 34-39-11 record in the all-time series. Earlier this season, RMU swept the Purple Eagles by scores of 4-2 and 4-3, with Klimpke leading the charge with three goals over the weekend.
 
SCOUTING THE PURPLE EAGLES
Niagara (9-18-1, 6-13-1 AHA) enters the series following a 2-1 loss at RIT on Tuesday night. The Purple Eagles currently sit ninth in the AHA standings with 21 conference points and are looking to gain ground in the playoff race.
 
Four Niagara skaters have tallied eight goals apiece this season, while junior forward Declan McDonnell paces the team with 18 points. On the back end, Lane Brockhoff leads the team with 45 blocked shots.
In goal, sophomore Deivs Rolovs has handled the bulk of the workload, appearing in 16 games. He has five wins and one shutout on the year while posting a .900 save percentage.
 
As a team, Niagara averages 2.5 goals per game while allowing 3.3. The Purple Eagles' power play is converting at 12.3 percent, while their penalty-kill stands at 78.8 percent. They have also controlled the faceoff dot this season, winning 52.2 percent of draws.
 
UP NEXT
Following the weekend series, RMU will travel to Buffalo, N.Y., for a two-game set against Canisius. Game one is scheduled for Friday, February 20 at 7:00 PM, followed by game two on Saturday, February 21 at 4:00 PM. Both contests will stream live on FloHockey.
 
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