NEVILLE TWP., PA — An impressive power play and an outstanding performance in net from freshman Noah West propelled the Robert Morris Colonials past the Long Island University Sharks 4-0 Friday at the Clearview Ice Arena. West stopped all 28 shots he faced in collecting his first career NCAA shutout and forward Grant Hebert supplied the offense, adding a goal and an assist on the night. The win pushed the Colonials record to 14-5-0 on the season.
“I thought we were really good in the first and second period and that was evident by the shots on goal,” Colonials head coach Derek Schooley said. “We capitalized on our chances and I thought that the score could have been a lot worse. “
Cameron Hebert sparked the Colonials with the only even strength tally just 5:51 into the game, picking the corner on starting Sharks goaltender Vincent Purpura. The power-play then took over on the score sheet as Randy Hernandez gave Robert Morris a 2-0 lead heading into the dressing room after one-timing a pass from the point and redirected it into the net during the first Colonials power play for his eighth goal of the season.
Robert Morris went three-for-seven with the man advantage on the night and were inches away from goals on other occasions throughout the game.
“I think our guys play the game the right way and they want to get pucks to the net,” Schooley said. “We’ve got a little bit of everything, guys that can make plays, get it to the net and shoot it.”
Meanwhile, West and the defense refused to give the Sharks a way back into the game thanks to timely saves and solid play from the backline.
“Congratulations to Noah,” Schooley added. “He made some massive saves when we needed him to. The breakaway in the first period, and when they had us running around a little bit in the third he was solid. ”
Though the Sharks once again brought the same passion and energy as they did on Thursday night iin a hard fought 4-1 Colonials win, Robert Morris picked their spots to make impacts. Defenseman Brandon Michaelian made it a 3-0 contest at the 16:15 mark of the second frame with his fourth goal of the season. Long Island tilted the ice for large portions of the third period, but was unable to capitalize as the Colonials mistakes were kept to a minimum and when scoring chances did come, West was there.
“It wouldn’t have been possible if it weren’t for the guys that played in front of me,” West said. “From top to bottom we were solid tonight and it made my job really easy. We got the big 200 foot clears when we needed them and they kind of kept them to the outside and didn’t give them what they like to do. We knew they were going to have a pushback in the third period, especially coming out with the power play so as a goalie you kind of weather the storm and keep the game where it’s at if not better.”
Grant Hebert then closed out the scoring with a goal from the crease on a third period power play to salt away the result.
The Colonials return to Atlantic Hockey play next weekend when they travel to Canisius for a two game series.
