ERIE, Pa. – The RMU men's hockey team completed a regular season sweep of Mercyhurst with a 4-1 victory on Saturday night at the Mercyhurst Ice Center. With the win, RMU closes the regular season at 13-18-3 overall and 13-11-2 in Atlantic Hockey America play. The Colonials secured the No. 3 seed in the AHA Men's Championship and will host No. 6 Air Force in a best-of-three quarterfinal series at Clearview Arena.
 
FIRST PERIOD
After generating several early scoring chances, RMU broke through late in the opening period to take the lead.
 
Circling behind the net, Luke van Why found freshman John Babcock for a one-timer in front, and Babcock buried the opportunity to give the Colonials a 1-0 advantage. Michael Felsing added the secondary assist on the play.
 
RMU controlled play throughout the period, outshooting Mercyhurst 16-5 while carrying the one-goal lead into the first intermission.
 
SECOND PERIOD
The Colonials extended their lead early in the middle frame with another strong offensive sequence. Bruce McDonald won a puck battle behind the net and delivered a no-look pass into the slot to George Krotiris, who fired a shot past the Mercyhurst netminder for his fifth goal of the season, doubling RMU's lead to 2-0.
 
Mercyhurst earned two power play opportunities later in the period and generated seven shots with the man advantage, but goaltender Charlie Schenkel stood tall, turning aside all seven attempts to preserve the shutout.
 
THIRD PERIOD
Special teams played a major role early in the final period, as Mercyhurst was assessed a five-minute major penalty along with a minor penalty. Although RMU was unable to capitalize on the extended power play, the Colonials struck moments later while shorthanded.
 
With just over six minutes remaining, Cameron Garvey created separation and finished a shorthanded goal, his second shorthanded tally of the season, to extend the lead to 3-0. Tanner Klimpke earned the assist on the play.
 
Mercyhurst responded shortly after, as Ryan Coughlin scored at even strength to cut the deficit to 3-1 and end Schenkel's shutout bid.
 
The Lakers pulled their goaltender late in the contest, but Jackson Reineke sealed the victory with an empty-net goal. Garvey and Klimpke each recorded assists on the insurance tally, securing the 4-1 final.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• RMU dominated statistically throughout the contest, outshooting Mercyhurst 41-18. Garvey led all Colonials with six shots on goal.
• 11 RMU players recorded a positive plus/minus rating, including Garvey, Klimpke, van Why, and Babcock, who each finished at +2.
• The Colonials were also strong in the faceoff circle, winning 33 of 54 draws (61.1%). Trent Wilson led the team with 10 faceoff wins, while McDonald posted an impressive 8-for-10 mark.
• Dominic Elliott led RMU with two blocked shots in the series finale.
• Neither team converted on the power play, as both squads finished 0-for-4.
• Schenkel earned his eighth win of the season, making 17 saves in the victory.

 
CAPTAIN CAM AND CAPTAIN KLIMPKE
Garvey recorded his 11th career multi-point performance with a goal and an assist. The junior forward now has nine goals and 12 assists for 21 points this season.
 
Klimpke added two assists, marking his 16th career multi-point effort. The junior forward has totaled 12 goals and 14 assists for 26 points this season, with his 12 goals tied for the fifth-most in Atlantic Hockey America.
 
TWO-WAY DEFENSEMAN
Freshman defenseman John Babcock played a key role throughout the series, recording two goals and one assist against Mercyhurst. He now has three goals and six assists this season.
 
Babcock has also been a critical contributor defensively, particularly on the penalty kill, and leads all Atlantic Hockey America players with 97 blocked shots.
 
SECOND-HALF SURGE
After opening conference play with a 4-8-1 record, RMU surged down the stretch, finishing 9-3-1 over its final 13 conference games. During that stretch, the Colonials held opponents to one goal or fewer in six of those victories.
 
UP NEXT
RMU enters the 2026 AHA Men's Championship as the No. 3 seed and will host No. 6 Air Force in a best-of-three quarterfinal series at Clearview Arena. Game one is scheduled for Friday, March 6 at 7:00 PM, followed by game two on Saturday, March 7 at 7:00 PM. If necessary, game three will be played on Sunday, March 8 at 5:00 PM.
 
Follow RMU men's hockey on social media for playoff ticket information and updates.
 
Follow The Colonials: Facebook | X | Instagram | TikTok | LinkedIn | RMU Athletics Gameday App