NEVILLE TWP., Pa. — Kirsten Welsh had three points and Jaycee Gebhard scored a game-winning, power-play goal to lead a fast-paced Robert Morris offense to a 4-2 win over Penn State as they continued their Skate for the cure weekend on Saturday afternoon at RMU Island Sports Center.
Amber Rennie and Jessica Gazzola fueled the Colonials faithful early. Rennie cashed in with a power-play goal at 2:33 of the first period, and the fans responded releasing droves of stuffed animals onto the ice.
“I think it adds to the excitement,” Gazzola said. “To have a good turn out and have all of those people in the stands and all of those teddy bears on the ice, it was kind of rewarding getting that goal. You know the fans were there to support us, it was awesome.”
Head coach Paul Colontino took a step back during the event.
“It’s a great thing,” Colontino explained. “As a player you’re on the ice playing, as a coach you’re into it coaching, then you score a goal and all of these teddy bears get thrown on the rink. The truth is I think for everybody for just a few minutes you think differently about whats happening, and how lucky we all are to be coaching, to be playing, to be competing and what a great cause it is. The players do an awesome job setting it up, its a great cause and its fun to see and more importantly, it’ll be better when all of those teddy bears reach their homes.”
Kelsey Crow scored a contested power-play goal for the Nittany Lions just under four minutes later to tie. Gazzola then skated a puck behind the net, dragged it around a Nittany Lions defender and put it over Penn State goaltender Hannah Ehresman to give the Colonials the lead back with just over 10 minutes left in the frame.
Crease-crashing strategies continued for the Nittany Lions during the second period, as Shea Nelson scored for the Nittany Lions at 6:29 of the stanza. Gebhard registered the third power-play goal for the Colonials after tipping Welsh’s shot from the point.
Welsh added a short-handed goal late in the third period to seal the victory.
POWER SURGE
The Colonials registered three power-play goals on the night, adding up to a remarkable ten extra-player goals over the past four games. While success on the power-play has been inconsistent at best, it hasn’t been for a lack of effort by the players on the ice.
“I don’t think I can explain it, to be honest with you,” Colontino said. “For a long time we thought we were doing things right on the power-play, we weren’t just finding the back of the net. I think the girls have persevered after not scoring on the power-play. I think its just hard work.”
UP NEXT
The College Hockey America conference as a whole will take a bye next weekend. The action returns Feb 9 – 10 when Lindenwood heads to the Island Sports Center for the final homestand of the year. Face-off with the Lions is scheduled for 3:05p.m., part of a back-to-back doubleheader with the Colonials men’s team’s series with RIT.
The game on Saturday will be senior night, when the team honors Amanda Pantaleo, Jessica Gazzola, Brittany Howard, Katherine Murphy, Leah Carey, Natalie Fraser, and goaltender Elijah-Milne Price in their final game at the Island Sports Center.
Through the stretch run, Robert Morris faces the Lions before heading to Mercyhurst and Syracuse to end the season. The Lakers and Colonials are currently tied at the top of the College Hockey America standings, while the Orange are four points behind.
HIGHLIGHTS
.@RMUWHockey and @PennStateWHKY are here pic.twitter.com/XsjbZI67gI
— Mitch (@PHD_Mitch) January 27, 2018
Starting 3+6 pic.twitter.com/DKAFa3cl5M
— Mitch (@PHD_Mitch) January 27, 2018
. @RMUWHockey didn’t waste time this year. Rennie with the tip. 1-0 RMU pic.twitter.com/u7uX5106UW
— Mitch (@PHD_Mitch) January 27, 2018
POSTGAME REACTION
