NEVILLE TWP., Pa. — The Pitt Panthers moved within two points of the Robert Morris Colonials, albeit with two games in hand, with a 3-2 victory over those Colonials at the RMU Island Sports Center on Saturday night. In what was assumed to be a close game, it lived up to the hype, even against the goeltenders’ wishes.
“Not necessarily,” said Pitt goaltender Matt Snader after the game, when asked if he assumed it would be a goaltender battle before the game. “But I’m always ready for a goaltending battle as need be, but that was a heck of an effort from that whole [Robert Morris] team today.”
Plentiful chances abound for both sides, the game was scoreless for the first half of the first period. Finally, 9:54 into the period, Joseph Zottola broke through for the opening score to give Robert Morris the lead. It was the second time in two days Pitt had conceded the opening goal of the night.
“First off, it was a great shot by that kid, really great goal. At that point, for me, I always just say regroup from there and I told myself to make the first save and go from there. After that, just try and make every other one,” said Snader after the game.” That latter advice is exactly what he did.
After a brief 4-on-4 for matching roughing minors, Tyler Draper was sent to the box for the Colonials for interference and a 10-minute misconduct. Mark Lauria wasted no time tying the game 1-1 for the Panthers on the power play at 12:27 of the first period, as Snader continued to make saves to keep his team in the hunt for the victory.
The second period featured much the same energy. Evenly matched squads battled to no avail until just under four minutes to play. Alex Crilley shoveled a puck in front of the net just over Robert Morris goaltender Parker Rutherford’s shoulder to give Pitt a 2-1 lead. Less than two minutes later, Michael Orban made it 3-1.
The third period, yet again, was a carbon copy of the first and second, except it was Steven Ralston’s turn to score at 3:43 of the period to bring the Colonials to within a goal.
With less than a minute remaining in the game, down by a goal, the teams battled 4-on-4, but Robert Morris eventually pulled Rutherford for the extra attacker. Once the players were released from the box with 30 seconds to play, it was again a Colonial advantage – the net still empty – at 6-on-5. Snader was tasked with keeping Robert Morris at bay to close out the win. He had a simple plan to do just that and earn the 3-2 win, his 13th of the season.
“You just have to play solid team defense, hope your guys block some shots in front of you, and make the saves when you’re called on.”
Snader finished the night saving 32 of 34 shots.
Parker Rutherford stopped 34 of 37 shots in the loss for the Colonials.
Pitt moved to 21-2 overall and 8-1 in conference play. The Panthers clinched a playoff berth Friday night with their win over Duquesne and West Virginia’s loss to Slippery Rock. They will travel to West Virginia on Friday, Feb. 7 at 9:30 p.m. at Morgantown Ice Arena before returning home to Alpha Ice Complex to host IUP at 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8.
Robert Morris moved to 21-9-1 overall and 9-2 in conference play. The Colonials, who have already clinched a playoff berth, will travel to S&T Bank Arena to play IUP on Friday, Feb. 7 at 8:05 p.m. They return home on Saturday, Feb. 8 to host the Mercyhurst Lakers at 2:35 p.m. at the RMU Island Sports Center.
MAJOR FOCUS: Pitt takes down conference leader Robert Morris, 3-2
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