Robert Morris men’s hockey took on the Miami Ohio Redhawks in a star-studded matchup that attracted Steelers superstars Big Ben Roethlisberger and Brett Keisel to the home opener. The Colonials opened the season up with a 4-1 victory, a goal less then their 5-1 win in season opener the night before in Ohio.

The Colonials set the pace early with a goal 32 seconds into the game. Walter Zacher scored the first goal for the Colonials. The first period was very physical as bodies were flying and tensions were flaring.

At the end of the first period, Robert Morris Goaltender Croix Kochendorfer made an incredible save to keep it a 1-0 game heading into the intermission.

The second period started rather slow but started to pick up as Colby Armstrong got a boarding penalty and game misconduct that put the Colonials on the powerplay. The theme of the second period was missed opportunities to score

Walter Zacher was able to hit one home as he netted his second goal of the game. Miami Ohio was able to notch a goal in the final 5 minutes of the second period. The Colonials went into the intermission with a one-goal lead.

“He’s a goal scorer,” head coach Derek Schooley said. “He didn’t score as much as he wanted last year. He scored around 5 or 6 last year. He’s got four this weekend” When asked about his expectations for Zacher this year he said “He had 20 plus points last year. Our top line with him Klimpke, and Garvey they are dynamic. They are a dynamic hockey line”

The third period was pretty quiet as both teams had multiple chances but could not convert. In the last two minutes of the game, the Colonials scored two empty net goals which put them up by three.

The Colonials went on to win this game 4-1 thanks to the contributions of forward Walter Zacher getting a hat trick. Croix Kochendorfer made tremendous saves throughout the game to keep Miami Ohio from continuing to put up goals.

The first line has proven to be dynamic in this first weekend of play.

“We just beat a team from the NCHC which is the SEC of college hockey and Miami (OH) has a great program,” Schooley said. “They went to a national championship. We held a good team to one goal. We had great goaltending. The penalty kill was outstanding and we find ways to win hockey games.”

The Colonials will be taking on the Niagra Purple Eagles on Oct. 25 at 7 P.M at Clearview Arena.