Colonials Corner

While the men’s hoops team awaits their dance partner for the NCAA Tournament, the men’s ice hockey team is attempting to make their first NCAA Tournament as well.

The Colonials, who struggled much of the year, finished the regular season on a seven game unbeaten streak before losing to Bemidji State in the final game. They stayed in Bemidji, Minnesota for spring break because the final College Hockey America Conference Tournament is being held there this year.

The Tournament opened today with Alabama-Huntsville playing #1 seed and host Bemidji while the Colonials played #2 seed Niagara. The Colonials beat Niagara 2-1 behind goals from Denny Urban and freshman Trevor Lewis (who had the eventual game winner).

UPDATE:
Two seasons ago, the Colonials blew a four goal lead and lost the CHA championship game to Alabama-Huntsville. This year, it was Bemidji State who blew the lead. They rebounded just in time.

Chris Margott, the star center of a Colonials squad many thought were in a rebuilding year, scored late in the 2nd period to tie the game at 2. Both teams came close to taking the lead in the third period, but they went deep into overtime before Bemidji State could get a goal past Robert Morris freshman goalie Brooks Ostergard.

Bemidji State will represent the CHA at the NCAA Tournament in the final year of the conference. Niagara and Robert Morris will head to the Atlantic Hockey conference next year. Bemidji State is hoping that the WCHA opens its doors for them, while Alabama-Huntsville is hoping to join the CCHA.

Something we’ll be keeping tabs on in the next 24 hours – Atlantic Hockey, home to Mercyhurst and several other natural rivals, will be voting Tuesday to determine whether Niagara and Robert Morris should join the conference for D-I hockey. With Wayne State closing their men’s program down, College Hockey America is doomed as a conference for men’s hockey. Women’s hockey seems to be okay for now.

This is a potentially huge development for hockey at Robert Morris. Because of the tenuous nature of the CHA, some stability, even at the cost of fewer scholarships, would potentially launch RMU onto a national stage by contending consistently in conference play.

We’ll see how it turns out on Tuesday.

Not something I expected to come across upon returning from the Rochester-Shenango high school game tonight…

The RMU women’s hockey team upset Minnesota tonight 3-2 on the road. The Lady Gophers were an NCAA Tournament team last year and finished the season ranked #5 in the nation. They were ranked #3 coming into the game.

Morgan Beikirch, Brianna Delaney, and Jacki Gibson scored for RMU. Brianne McLaughlin stopped 63 of 65 shots – yes, sixty-five! – for the win. RMU had just 10 shots on goal.

Congratulations, Ladies, and get ready for the rematch Saturday night.