By Mike Prisuta
www.rmucolonials.com
Nov. 19, 2009

Prisuta On Pucks Link

Pittsburgh, Pa. - Derek Schooley didn't exactly envision this year's schedule being quite so challenging when it was being compiled.

But his Robert Morris Colonials aren't complaining as they traverse the miles and engage a succession of nationally-ranked opponents.

From Fairbanks, Alaska, to Bemidji, Minnesota, and, this weekend, to Colorado Springs, Colorado for a two-game series with Colorado College (7:35 p.m. Friday, 7:05 p.m. Saturday).

“Quite honestly, these are all good hockey programs that are all having tremendous years all at the same time,” Schooley said. “Not one of them is having a 'down' year.

“It's like the perfect storm.”

Niagara, 0-8-2 overall and 0-1-1 in CHA play after a 5-3 loss and a 3-3 tie Nov. 13-14 at Robert Morris, is an exception.

Everyone else the Colonials have played has either been ranked at the time or at least received consideration toward that end.

Alaska was No. 17 back on Oct. 16 and is currently ranked No. 10.

Quinnipiac was No. 18 on Oct. 30 and has since improved to No. 13.

Bemidji State was No. 11 on Nov. 6 and has climbed to No. 8 this week.

Alaska-Anchorage was attracting “others receiving votes” consideration when it met the Colonials on Oct. 17.

And Ferris State had been awarded one such vote on Oct. 23.

The Bulldogs are currently what amounts to the nation's No. 21 team, earning 128 points in the “others receiving votes” category following their sweep of No. 1 Miami, Ohio in back-to-back shootout wins Nov. 13-14.

Colorado College is No. 7 and leading the WCHA.

The Tigers had been slated for an eighth-place finish in a preseason poll of conference coaches.

Alaska in the CCHA (seventh), Ferris State in the CCHA (eighth) and Quinnipiac in the ECAC (tied for eighth) are likewise exceeding what preseason league coaches polls anticipated.

“I think it's been kind of a blessing in disguise because we're actually playing pretty good hockey,” Schooley said. “We just haven't gotten the results and it comes down to playing some very good hockey teams.”

Robert Morris takes a 3-6-1 overall mark (1-2-1 CHA) to Colorado.

The Colonials' strength of schedule had been No. 1 in the nation according to the KRACH ratings prior to the Niagara series, but has since slipped to No. 25.

Two-game series with Miami (still No. 1) and Colgate (others receiving votes), and four remaining games against Bemidji will send it climbing again, as will this weekend's series with Colorado College.

“We have to constantly remember who we are and what we do,” Schooley said. “The minute we get away from everything that makes us successful is the minute we get in trouble.

“If we think we're a skill team; we're not going to out-skill people. We have to make sure we remember what our identity is. And our identity is based on hard work, battle and competition. We can skate, we can use our speed. But if we battle and compete it'll give us a chance in every game.”

The schedule has re-enforced that edict, but Schooley isn't taking any chances. Practices in advance of the Colorado College series included a penalty-killing drill during which forwards Nick Chiavetta and Ron Cramer and defenseman James Lyle repeatedly hit the ice to block shots.

The sacrifice was acknowledged with fist-bumps and other congratulatory gestures on the part of the Colonials not participating in the drill at a given instant.

“The minute we get away from doing the little things in practice is the minute we get away from doing them in the games,” Schooley said. “You play like you practice.

“It's good for them and it's good for the team because it shows the younger guys that you have to do that to be successful.”