(RMU vs BSU - CHA conference game)
Just a few hours ago, since it is 2:02 am as I write this, the RMU Men's Ice Hockey team took on the Bemidji State Beavers, in the second game of their weekend series. Friday nite, the Colonials skated away with an impressive win, putting them in sole possession of 2nd place in the College Hockey America Conference (CHA). The story Saturday nite, was very different.
RMU came storming out of the gates, putting one in the net just 1:30 into the gave (Kyle Burton- from Margott, from Cruthers). At the 4:45 mark, BSU's Matt Pope answered on a Power Play, and the Beavers never looked back. BSU then scored two more goals, only 1:10 apart, to begin their onslaught of scoring against the Colonials. By the end of the First period BSU was up 4-1....1st PD....4...to...1.
Let's face it, you can't keep up the let's play great on Friday and hand them Saturday on a silver platter, because if you do keep doing that, you'll never play with the big boys out in Ann Arbor (Michigan Wolverines, the #1 team in the land). I'm not saying what's the point, but you have to play more consistent.
Last year's Dr. Jekl, Mr. Hyde of Boucher one nite, and Tuset the other, was fine. When you have that same scenario the next year, but with only one goaltender, you've got trouble, with a major capital "T" (sad Music Man reference). Christian Boucher's season numbers look great, he has a Goals Against Average hovering at 3.03, before last nite's game, he had a nice, 2.95. It's not like the Colonials can turn to Joe Tuset to suit up on the ice, he's too busy coaching the Colonial goaltenders that will one day replace Boucher (Freshman- Jim Patterson and Sophomore-Wes Russell). Russell and Patterson have had their bright spots, but against poor teams.
I'm not even going to contiune to go over the rest of the game from Saturday, it's easier to sum it up as BAD, Terrible, disgusting even. Coach Schooley said it best in our side-ice interview at the second intermission "I want to apologize to everyone watching because this isn't Colonial Hockey..." It's not every day you see a coach apologize for his team not getting the job done.
That's basically what it is right now for these guys, getting the job done. There are two more weekend set of games, next weekend at Niagara and the following weekend versus rival Alabama-Huntsville. If RMU can split the next two weekends picking up 4 points, possibly keeping them at the 2nd place spot, their chances could be a lot better going into the CHA tournament. Relaying on the 5th seed to beat the 1st seed again, wouldn't be the way to go.
Robert Morris has a solid offensive scoring team, I'm not just pointing out Ryan Cruther's season either. The Colonials have a solid offensive attack. However, that doesn't mean anything if you lead the conference in Penalty Minutes and you are out shot in every game you play. The little things are what matter most right now.
Here is the current CHA Standings:
1 Bemidji State - 25pts (11-4-3)
2 Robert Morris - 20pts (9-5-2)
3 Niagara -18pts (8-4-2)
4 Wayne State -10pts (5-10-0)
5 Alab-Hunts -5pts (1-11-3)