Pittsburgh, Pa. – The Robert Morris University men’s hockey team completed the season sweep of Canisius with a 6-3 win on Saturday night. Forwards Adam Brace (Cobden, Ontario / Canisius College) and Cody Wydo (Southgate, Mich. / Motor City Metal Jackets) combined for four goals as the Colonials tied the single-season wins record with their 18th victory of the season.

The Colonials opened up the scoring quickly when junior forward Colin South (Sewickley, Pa. / Bay State Breakers) tipped in a slap pass from junior defenseman Evan Renwick (Calgary, Alberta / Canmore Eagles) just 1:48 into the first period. The play was sparked after a passing sequence between Renwick and junior defensemen Jimmy Geerin (Anchorage, Alaska / Burnaby Express).

Senior goaltender Eric Levine (Wheeling, Ill. / Pembroke Lumber Kings) made 14 saves in the first period to hold the 1-0 lead heading into the first intermission. None was bigger than when he flashed the leather and did a split to make a save on the Golden Griffins’ first power play.

The Colonials would capture the early momentum in the second period when Renwick made a huge shoulder check along the blue line. The Colonials would take advantage of the early momentum when freshman forward Matt Cope (Lakewood, Colo. / Wenatchee Wild) deflected point shot off the crossbar past the Canisius goaltender. The play was set up when freshman forward Brandon Denham (Milton, Ontario / Oakville Blades) fired a pass to senior defenseman Tyler Hinds (Orleans, Ontario / Nepean Raiders) who unloaded a shot towards the net. The Golden Griffins would answer quickly and picked up their first goal of the game just 54 seconds later.

The Colonials would extend their lead to three with two goals by senior Brace in just 59 seconds. The first goal came when he fired a backhand shot from the slot. The goal was set up by Wydo who fired a pass to Hinds who let go a shot from the point that bounced off a Canisius defender and onto Brace’s stick. The second goal deflected off a Canisius defender and past the goaltender after a rush play shot from Brace. Freshman defenseman Evan Moore (Grosse Point, Mich. / Sioux Falls Stampede) dished the puck to Brace in the Colonials zone before Brace went coast to coast to record the goal. Wydo would extend the Colonials lead to four when he knocked in a rebound goal off another rush play. Brace and Scott Jacklin (Kimberley, British Columbia / Trail Smoke Eaters) each recorded an assist on the goal. Canisius would add another tally with only 18 seconds remaining in the period but the Colonials would take a 5-2 lead into the dressing room.  

The third period featured a penalty shot from senior forward Zach Hervato (Stittsville, Ontario / Smiths Falls Bears). Hervato, who was tripped on a breakaway, missed the net high and wide on the penalty shot. Canisius would add another goal with only 3:15 remaining in the period to cut the lead to two. The Colonials wouldn’t wait long to cap off the scoring as Wydo added his second goal of the game off a backhand shot from center ice that entered the empty net.

The Colonials had eleven players recording a point to contribute to the offensive explosion. Despite being outshot 43-23 the Colonials pulled off the victory behind RMU 23 blocked shots. Senior defenseman Brendan Jamison (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Jersey Hitmen) leading the way with five blocks.

With his first period goal, South became the 19^th Colonial in program history to record 50 career points. He now has five points in his last four home games.

The Colonials would once again rely on the goaltending of Levine who finished with 40 saves on 43 shots. Levine improved upon his program record single season win total by recording his 17^th win of the year.

The Colonials finish their regular season next weekend with a home-and-home series against in-state rivals Mercyhurst. The Colonials will welcome the Lakers to 84 Lumber Arena on Friday for their senior night at 7:05 before traveling to the Mercyhurst Ice Center for a 7:05 rematch.