Sometimes, the more things change, the more they stay the same.
Robert Morris, picked to come in second place in the Atlantic Hockey Conference in the 2017-18 by both the coaches and league media polls, had an uncharacteristically slow start to the campaign.
The Colonials sat at 7-7-1 in AHC play at the break and were in a crowded pack in middle the conference.
In the second half, Robert Morris started 3-1-1 against Niagara, Bentley and AIC before heading to Bridgeport, Connecticut on Friday and Saturday to take on the Sacred Heart Pioneers
Coming into the weekend, the Colonials and Pioneers had met 21 times in the history of Robert Morris’ program, and the Colonials had 20 victories in and one tie for a 20-0-1 record.
It turns out a visit to Sacred Heart was just what the doctor ordered for the Colonials, as they came away with a 4-1 victory on Friday followed by a 3-1 victory on Saturday for a weekend sweep that catapulted them into second place in the conference.
MR. 100
Junior Eric Israel played in his 100th career game on Saturday and it was a big weekend for the defenseman. Israel scored a goal in each game to give him four on the season. He had the game-winner on Friday.
TWO FIRSTS
Sophomore forward Michael Coyne scored his first point on Friday with an assist of Israel’s goal. On Saturday, he scored his first career goal to start the scoring in the first period. Coyne has played 29 career games.
MOVIN’ ON UP
Senior forward Brady Ferguson recorded an assist on Saturday to move one step closer to taking home the franchise’s all-time career points record.
The assist gave Ferguson 155 points for his Robert Morris career, one behind 2016 graduate Zac Lynch, who scored 156 in his four-year career.
MISSING MAN
Senior captain Alex Bontje did not dress in either game as he dealt with a minor ailment.
UP NEXT
The Colonials will return home to face rival RIT at RMU Island Sports Center on Friday, Feb. 9 and Saturday, Feb. 10 at 7:05 p.m.
