FAIRFIELD, Conn. – After scoring the opening goal, Sacred Heart responded with five unanswered goals to take game one of the series, 5-1. The Colonials are now 15-20-3 overall.
 
FIRST PERIOD
RMU's Charlie Schenkel made seven saves in the opening seven minutes to keep the Pioneers off the scoresheet.
 
It was RMU that struck first in the eighth minute. From the defensive end, John Babcock moved the puck ahead to George Krotiris, who then set up Ryan Taylor in open space. Taylor fired a shot past the netminder to give the Colonials a 1-0 lead.
 
Neither team took a penalty in the opening frame as RMU carried the one-goal lead into the first intermission.
 
SECOND PERIOD
The game shifted in Sacred Heart's favor early in the middle frame. Within the first 1:41 of the period, the Pioneers scored two quick goals to take their first lead of the night.
 
After RMU successfully killed off Sacred Heart's first power play, the Pioneers struck again at even strength when Jack Hillier scored on an unassisted effort.
 
Sacred Heart took a 3-1 lead into the second intermission while outshooting the Colonials 15-9 in the period.
 
THIRD PERIOD
Sacred Heart extended its lead just under two minutes into the third period to make it 4-1. The Pioneers added another goal before the halfway point of the frame to secure the 5-1 victory.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Sacred Heart outshot RMU 35-24. Krotiris and Tanner Klimpke each recorded a team-high three shots.
• RMU won 23 of 50 faceoffs, led by Cameron Garvey who won seven of his 14 draws.
• Defensively, the Colonials blocked 15 shots.
• Penalties were limited, and neither team converted on the power play. RMU finished 0-for-1 while Sacred Heart went 0-for-2.
• In net, Schenkel made 24 saves through the first 51 minutes of play. Sophomore Lucas Massie finished the final nine minutes, recording four saves.

 
POINT STREAK CONTINUES
Freshman defenseman John Babcock extended his point streak with an assist tonight. Over his last six games, he has recorded three goals, four assists and seven points. The AHA All-Rookie Team selection now has four goals, nine assists and 13 points this season.
 
QUOTABLE – HEAD COACH DEREK SCHOOLEY
"We got away from what we need to do to be successful. We had some chances and couldn't convert on those. After Sacred Heart scored twice early in the second, it put us behind the eight ball. We can't chase them; we need to keep the game tight."
 
"This team has been in this position before — they were here last week. We need to rally or our season is over. Every team this time of year faces adversity. I believe in this group. We turned it around in the second half of our season and need that to come through tomorrow."
 
UP NEXT
RMU will look to even the series against Sacred Heart tomorrow. Puck drop is set for 5:00 PM and the game will stream live on FloHockey.
 
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