NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – Three third-period goals led Robert Morris University (8-19-4, 4-13-2) to a 3-2 win over the Niagara University men’s hockey team (13-18-2, 8-9-2) Friday at Dwyer Arena.
With the two teams held scoreless through the first two periods, Niagara scored early in the final period to take a 1-0 lead over the Colonials.
Senior forward Ryan Gale (St. Catharines, Ont.) scored his first of two goals in the game at the 3:54 mark of the third period, taking a pass from linemate Sean Bentivoglio (Thorold, Ont.) and lifting the puck into the upper-right corner of the net past Robert Morris goaltender Christian Boucher.
Despite the early setback in the third period, the Colonials stormed back and scored three consecutive goals.
Freshman defenseman Jake Sparks opened the scoring for Robert Morris at 7:19 of the third period. After a shot from the left faceoff circle by freshman Sean Berkstresser, Sparks was open in front of the Niagara net for the rebound goal, breaking the Colonials three-game scoreless streak.
After junior Kurt Wright tipped-in a pass from Joe Federoff for a power-play goal at 8:31, freshman forward Joey Olson beat Niagara goaltender Jeff Van Nynatten (Stratford, Ont.) on a breakaway at 13:58 for the game-winning goal. Olson stole the puck at his own blue line and beat Van Nynatten with a forehanded stuff to the glove side, capitalizing on the one-on-one opportunity.
Gale scored his second goal of the game at 17:09 of the period, however the Purple Eagles were unable to get the equalizing goal in the final moments, losing their second game of the season to the Colonials.
Accounting for both goals in the loss, Niagara head coach Dave Burkholder was impressed with the forward line of Gale, Bentivoglio and freshman Matt Caruana (Orono, Ont.).
"The Gale, Bentivoglio, Caruana line was pretty special tonight," Burkholder said. "Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to get us a win. They’re (Robert Morris) a young team, played strong and their goaltender was the difference."
Shots were in favor of Niagara, 27-21, in the game, with the Purple Eagles outshooting Robert Morris, 11-9, in the final period.
Boucher (8-15-4) made 25 saves for his eighth win of the season. Van Nynatten (8-10-2) made 18 saves in the loss.
The two teams conclude the two-game series Saturday at Dwyer Arena, with game time set for 7:05 p.m.
