The Robert Morris University NCAA men’s hockey team capped off “Hockey Weekend Across America” with a thrilling 6-5 overtime win over Atlantic Hockey Association rival, Niagara in front of a crowd of 1,032 at the 84 Lumber Arena.
Scoring the game-winning goal for the Colonials was junior forward Colin South at the 1:53 mark of the overtime period.
“We had a nice clean breakout, Geerin passed it in deep and [Cody] Wydo and I rolled like we have been all year,” said South. “Then I got it over to Geerin and he fed me a pass, and I have no clue what the goalie was doing so I was able to put it into an open net.”
The first goal of the game was scored 5:15 into the game by Niagara’s Giancarlo Iuorio.
South would answer back for the Colonials with his first on the night and ninth of the season at 15:14 of the first with the assists going to Jeff Jones and Zach Hervato.
Niagara was able to go ahead for the second time in the game with a goal from Ryan Murphy just two minutes into the second period.
RMU would answer back with two goals of their own during a five minute major power play with goals from Zac Lynch and Scott Jacklin.
“I can’t really put it into words considering how bad our power play was earlier in the year,” said South. “Now we’re really turning it around, so it was great to get not only two power play goals, but two goals we needed badly.”
Between the two teams, five goals were scored during the third period. Niagara was able to pull out to a 4-3 lead 7:49 into the third period with two power play goals of their own from Dan Weiss and Isaac Kohls.
Sophomore forward Cody Wydo notched his 14th goal of the season when he scored shorthanded for the Colonials to tie the game 4-4 8:46 into the third period, and freshman forward Matt Cope put the Colonials ahead with his even strength goal with 9:39 left in the third.
With the goaltender pulled, Niagara was able to send the game into overtime with a well-disputed goal with 1:04 left in regulation.
Fortunately for the Colonials, Niagara’s Matt Dineen was assessed a two minute minor for boarding at 1:15 of the overtime period, and just 38 seconds into the man-advantage, South was able to get the puck past the Niagara goaltender.
“In my opinion it was the most fun game I’ve ever played in my whole career,” said Cope. “It was up and down, we had a great game with them yesterday, and one that we wished we would’ve had a same result in as tonight.”
Next up for the Colonials will be a home-and-home series against Canisius. Friday’s game at Canisius will begin at 7:05, and Saturday’s game will be at home in the 84 Lumber Arena at 7:05 as well.
