Winthrop, Mass. - Robert Morris University men's hockey junior
Eric Israel has been named the Atlantic Hockey conference Travel Team USA Defensive Player of the Week, the league announced Tuesday.
Israel led Robert Morris in scoring en route to a Colonials sweep at Sacred Heart. Israel led all Atlantic Hockey defenseman in scoring with two goals on five shots. The first of Israel's goals was the eventual game-winner in Friday's 4-1 victory over the Pioneers, while Saturday's goal was a third period tally that help the Colonials seal the sweep.
Israel blocked a pair of shots in the series at Sacred Heart and is second in Atlantic Hockey and 11th in the NCAA in blocks this season with 58.
The Huntington Woods, Michigan native has four goals and 11 assists for 15 points this season, good enough for seventh in scoring on the Colonials. Israel has recorded at least a point in 12 games this season, with RMU posting a 7-4-1 record in those games.
Israel skated in his 100th career game for the Colonials in Saturday's contest.
RMU swept the Pioneers 4-1 and 3-1 with six different goal-scorers and 15 players recording at least a point, led by Israel as the only multi-goal scorer.
Alex Tonge,
Matthew Graham and
Michael Coyne each tallied a goal and and assist. For sophomore
Michael Coyne, the assist was the first point of his NCAA career and the goal was the first career goal for the Buffalo, NY native forward.
Francis Marotte backstopped the Colonials to the two victories, as the only goaltender in the conference to win two games last week, with a 1.00 goals against average. Marotte matched a league-high save percentage of .962 for the week, making 50 saves on 52 shots. Marotte was one of only six goaltenders nationally to earn a pair of wins last week, and sports the best GAA and save percentage among those goaltenders.
Robert Morris (13-13-2, 12-8-2 Atlantic Hockey) welcomes RIT to Colonials Arena for a pair of 7:05 p.m. contests on Friday and Saturday. The Colonials are in second place in the conference standings with 26 points, two points back of Canisius and Holy Cross which are tied for first with 28 points. Both days, the RMU women's hockey team plays earlier games against Lindenwood at 3:05 p.m. on Friday and 1:05 p.m. on Saturday.
Saturday features Skate with the Colonials night after the men's game. Saturday's game also features a puck giveaway for the first 800 fans, presented by Fruehauf Manufacturing.
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