The Colonials completed eight games this season before head coach Derek Schooley felt compelled to tinker with any of his lines.

But when it finally got to the point where Schooley decided a little shuffling was in order, he left the Gold Line alone.

The threesome of left winger Nick Chiavetta, center Brandon Blandina and right winger Furman South had earned the right not to be messed with.

"They've been the most consistent line we've had all year," Schooley said.

Schooley will be looking for more of the same from the Gold Line when RMU resumes play following the Thanksgiving break with a weekend series against Atlantic Hockey Association-rival Bentley at the Island Sports Center (face-off is 7:05 Friday and Saturday night).

The Gold Line is named for the color of the jerseys its members wear in practice (RMU also has Red, White, Blue and Maroon lines in workouts).

In games, Chiavetta, Blandina and South have comprised the gold standard in terms of work ethic and relentlessness.

"They all play with energy," Schooley said. "They all play hard, they can all skate and they do the little things, finish checks, block shots, get pucks in (to the offensive zone).

"They all kill penalties and they all play in late-game situations."

On Nov. 20 at Canisius the Gold Line came through late with some much-needed offense, as Blandina tied the game at 2-2 at 18:02 of the third period off assists from Chiavetta and South (RMU eventually lost, 3-2, in OT).

The goal was the second of the season for Blandina, a junior from Centennial, Colo. (he had two in 32 games last season).

South, a junior from Sewickley, has likewise matched his goal total of three from 2009-10.

Chiavetta, a junior from Harrisburg, has three goals this season after totaling five in 2009-10. 

Such gradual but noticeable improvement from the Gold Line in the offensive end has helped spark the Colonials (7-4-1 overall; 6-4-1, second to Canisius in AHA play) throughout the first third of the season.

"We knew what we were getting in terms of defensive responsibility and the ability to kill penalties," Schooley said. "I can tell you they're a line that's not going to look pretty but they'll sore the ugly goal, finish their checks and do the things the team needs to be successful.

"You won't be wowed by them, but at the end of the game you'll say they're very efficient hockey players. They're key pieces to the puzzle."