Penn State’s first game in a NHL arena will have to be a forgettable one. RMU is hoping their next game is a memorable one.
The Colonials got out to a 4-0 lead in the first period and never looked back, crushing the Nittany Lions 6-0 in the first game of the Three Rivers Classic. Cody Wydo had two goals and Eric Levine made 48 saves for a Robert Morris team that got out to a fast start.
Andrew Blazek took advantage of a Penn State turnover and buried the Colonials’ first shot of the game to give RMU a 1-0. The goal came just 1:49 into the game and seemed to halt any momentum Penn State had after a solid shift in the first minute of the game.
From there, RMU took over the period and essentially the game scoring three more goals to close out the opening frame.
Adam Brace and Cody Wydo scored 28 seconds apart to suddenly put the Colonials up 3-0. Then, with 38 seconds remaining in the first, Wydo added a second goal. Wydo took advantage of a bad rebound, given up by goaltender PJ Musico, and buried the shot into a wide open cage.
In the second, coach Guy Gadowsky replaced Musico with Skoff. The Nittany Lions responded with a better period outhitting the Colonials and outshooting them 14-4. But they weren’t able to score and as the period continued, the frustration mounted.
While on the powerplay PSU star forward, David Glen, took a five minute major for contact to the head after running over Andrew Blazek behind the Colonial net. Glen was ejected from the game while Jacob Freidman served the five minute major.
“He [referee] was trying to determine whether it was a hit to the head or a charge. I thought it was a charge. I thought he hit him with the shoulder and went low to avoid the hit,” said Gadowski.
The penalty led to a fifth RMU goal 4:23 into the third period. Matt Cope notched his first career goal, backhanding a rebound in front of the net. Tyler Hinds rifled a one-timer off the right point late in the third period to give Robert Morris their sixth goal.
While PJ Musico was pulled after the first period, his counterpart, Eric Levine, stopped all 48 shots to record his second shutout of the season. The Colonials may have buried six goals, but Levine’s performance, particularly in the second period, was just as important.
“The main thing is that we’re advancing to the championship and that was our goal. Shutout or no shutout we got the win.” (Eric Levine)
With the win, Robert Morris will face the winner of the Ohio State-Miami University game in the championship round tomorrow night. Penn State will play the loser of that game. While the Colonials try to add to their resume as a program on the rise, Penn State will continue to progress under a steep learning curve, with a 6-0 defeat to RMU as a painful lesson.
“We won’t forget.” (Guy Gadowski)
Photo courtesy of RMU
