Colonial Hockey History is Made: First Winning Season
Posted by Dave Weldon at 3/09/2008 12:31:00 AM
Colonial Hockey history was made in the final regular season game Saturday night against Alabama-Huntsville, as Robert Morris achieved it's first winning season under Head Coach Derek Schooley and the Men's Hockey Program, in just the 4th season. The Colonials finished the regular season with a 2-2 tie against the UAH Chargers, bringing their season record to 15-14-4 and a 10-7-3 record in the CHA. The Colonials finished the season with a 5-4-1 record in their last 10 games (one game being an exhibition against the US U-18 National Team).
Last season, the Colonials finished their last 10 games with a record of 4-5-1, but found themselves with a 7-5 victory over Bemidji State in the first round of the CHA Tournament to put them in the CHA Championship game against Alabama-Huntsville, but only to fall short in that game in overtime, 4-5.
Saturday's Game
RMU won Friday night 5-3 at the Island Sports Center and on Senior Night, as Coach Derek Schooley saw 15 seniors skate in their last regular season game, the Colonials looked to repeat their winning formula once again. The Colonials got off to a hot start in the middle of the first period scoring two goals, one from Freshman Nathan Longpre (7) and from Senior Ryan Cruthers (22), giving the Colonials an early lead in the First Period. Late in the First Period, Alabama-Huntsville grabbed a goal of their own off the stick of Kyle Goodchild (1).
The Colonials continued to pour on the shots in this game, out shooting UAH 38-29 in the game, but to no avail, the Colonials and Chargers skated to extra hockey in the overtime period. With stellar defensive play by both teams, on only 3 shots on goal in the entire period (all by RMU), the game ended in a 2-2 at the end of overtime.
Alabama-Huntsville fell to 6-20-4 overall on the season, as well as 3-13-4 in the CHA Conference.
Here is what things will look like for the CHA Tournament:
#5 Alab-Hunts vs #4 Wayne State - 7pm March 14th
#1 Bemidji State vs #4/#5 Winner - 2pm March 15th
#3 Robert Morris vs #2 Niagara - 7pm March 15th
CHA CHAMPIONSHIP - 2pm March 16th - LIVE ON CSTV (Comcast Channel 274)
*All games can be seen live via the B2 Networks
The B2 Networks allows you to watch each game live online via internet streaming. I believe that the cost of the CHA games will range from $6-$8 a game. I will be checking out the quality of these games, so hopefully you will too! CATCH THE COLONIALS IN NIAGARA!