LEWISTON, N.Y. — Alex Tonge scored a pair of goals as Robert Morris avenged a season-opening loss and started 2018 in the win column with a 3-0 victory over the Niagara Purple Eagles on Tuesday. The Colonials started the 2017-18 season with a 4-3 overtime loss at Dwyer Arena to the upstart Purple Eagles, who had the worst record in Atlantic Hockey in 2016-17, but have been rejuvenated by first-year head coach Jason Lammers. In Robert Morris’ second visit to Niagara, it was Tonge, a junior winger, that provided the necessary offensive spark.
Tonge started the scoring with a goal on a cross-ice feed from Brady Ferguson with just second remaining in the first period and then added the eventual game-winner late in the second period on a Robert Morris power play. Tonge now has points in four of his last five games, with four goal and six assists in that span. His hot streak has coincided with a nice midseason run from the Colonials, who have won four of their last five to move to 9-12-1 overall and 8-7-1 in conference play.
Timmy Moore batted a puck out of the air midway through the third period to push the Robert Morris lead to 3-0. Noah Delmas scored a power play goal for Niagara in an extra-attacker, 6-on-4 situation to break up the shutout bid of Francis Marotte.
HIGHLIGHTS
They’re here, too. pic.twitter.com/UZE3MUGT1t
— Alan Saunders (@ASaunders_PGH) January 9, 2018
Alex Tonge scores on a pass from Brady Ferguson in the first period. — ALAN SAUNDERS
Alex Tonge gets his second goal of the game on the power play. — ALAN SAUNDERS
Niagara goaltender Brian Wilson robs Alex Tonge’s hat-trick bid. — ALAN SAUNDERS
Timmy Moore knocks the puck out of mid air for a goal. — ALAN SAUNDERS
POSTGAME REACTION
