MOON TOWNSHIP– The RMU men’s hockey team (0-1-1) opens their Atlantic Hockey schedule this weekend by hosting the Bentley Falcons (0-0) in a two-game set fresh off of a 2-1 overtime loss and a lopsided 7-0 loss at the hands of the Michigan Tech Huskies (2-0).

Recapping RMU

The Colonials will host the Falcons in hopes of drastically improving on their last two games, a set against Michigan Tech. They lost a heartbreaker in the first game in overtime, 2-1, and got handled in the second game, 7-0. They could not control sophomore Alec Broetzman in the series, as he recorded the overtime game-winner in the first game and a hat-trick in the second game.

The main question for the Colonials heading into the Bentley series will be goaltending. Transfer Justin Kapelmaster had a strong first game, but when head coach Derek Schooley turned to sophomore Reid Cooper in the second game, things quickly went awry as Cooper allowed five goals on eleven shots. Schooley was quick to pull Cooper, as he turned to Dyllan Lubbesmeyer for the rest of the contest. Lubbesmeyer allowed two more goals on 16 more shots for the rest of the game. Justin Addamo recorded the only goal in the two games for the Colonials.

Scouting Bentley

Bentley will be opening their season against the Colonials without a non-conference game or conference game thus far. Historically, the Colonials and Falcons have played to a pretty even performance, as the Colonials are 14-15-4 in games against Bentley. RMU won the last two games against them back in the Atlantic Hockey Association quarterfinals in March of last season. The Colonials lost the first game to Bentley 3-2 but rebounded to beat the Falcons 3-2 and 2-1 to advance to the AHA semifinals at the Harborcenter in Buffalo, New York.

Players to Watch

Justin Addamo (RMU)

Addamo, the only goal scorer for the Colonials in the last series, has been one of the most eye-opening players on the Colonials thus far. Trying to improve on a 14-point freshman season, expect him to be at the forefront of the Colonials’ offense in this series.

Santeri Hartikainen (RMU)

The Finnish forward Hartikainen has not shown up on the scoresheet this season thus far but has made an impact on the ice especially in the 7-0 rout, where he was playing very well defensively. He has had a major role on the team in his freshman season.

Luke Santerno (Bentley)

Santerno starts his junior season for the Falcons as the team’s leading returning scorer. Last season, Santerno recorded 11 goals and 25 assists for 36 points and was the main contributor on offense for the team. Expect him to be relied upon heavily by the Falcons in this series.

Prediction

I think the Colonials and Falcons play to a split in this series, and the scores all depend on which goaltender is in net for the Colonials this series. The Colonials will lose a tough one in game one, 3-2, but rebound and win 4-1 in the second game.