Pittsburgh, Pa. – The Robert Morris University men’s hockey team took to the ice after a mid-week contest as the Colonials hosted Atlantic Hockey rival RIT on Friday evening.  Senior goaltender Eric Levine (Wheeling, Ill. / Pembroke Lumber Kings) rebounded from his most recent loss and recorded 34 saves to lead the Colonials to a 3-0 victory with his fourth shutout of the season.

During a scoreless first period, Levine has his busiest period of the night as the senior recorded 16 first-period saves. His biggest save of the frame came on a 2-on-1 odd-man rush for RIT as Levine flashed the leather to make a brilliant glove save.

Sophomore forward Cody Wydo (Southgate, Mich. / Motor City Metal Jackets) tallied the game’s first goal in the second period.  Wydo capitalized on a turnover while the Colonials pressured the Tigers on the fore-check as a RIT defender coughed up the puck near the blue line. Freshman defenseman Evan Moore (Grosse Point, Mich. / Sioux Falls Stampede) forced the turnover and promptly fired a backhand pass to Wydo, who then made two quick dekes to deposit the puck in to the empty cage for the 1-0 lead.

Freshman forward David Friedmann (Toronto, Ontario / Toronto Jr. Canadiens) gave the Colonials a 2-0 advantage in the third period. Senior defenseman Tyler Hinds (Orleans, Ontario / Nepean Raiders) made an outlet to Friedmann who then streaked down the wing and fired a shot short-side past the Tigers’ goaltender. Freshman defenseman Chase Golightly (Temecula, Calif. / Prince George Spruce Kings) was credited with the secondary assist on Friedmann’s sixth goal of the season.

Levine would again stand tall for the Colonials as the penalty-kill unit would have to kill off a two-man advantage for RIT with less than five minutes to play in the third period.  Senior forward Zach Hervato (Stittsville, Ontario / Smiths Falls Bears) capped the Colonials scoring when he fired a puck from the Colonials zone off the glass and into an empty net with only 24 seconds remaining in the game. Captain Brendan Jamison (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Jersey Hitmen) and junior Colin South (Sewickley, Pa. / Bay State Breakers) recorded assists on Hervato’s tenth goal of the season, a career high for Hervato.

Robert Morris recorded 22 blocked shots as Moore and junior defenseman Andrew Blazek (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Topeka Roadrunners) led the way with each player recording four blocks. The Colonials also killed off all six RIT power plays.  With his third period goal, Friedmann extended his point streak to four games with one goal and three assists as the freshman now has 13 points in 23 games this season.

The Colonials conclude their five home games in nine days as Robert Morris hosts RIT in the final regular-season meeting between the two teams this season as they face off tomorrow evening at the 84 Lumber Arena with the puck dropping at 7:05 p.m.