Robert Morris scored three third-period goals for a 3-2 win over Air Force in a CHA game Saturday night, Feb. 4, at the Island Sports Center in Pittsburgh, Penn.
Robert Morris, 8-15-2 overall and 4-7-1 in the CHA, swept the two-game series and moved into fourth place in the CHA. Air Force fell to 5-16-1 overall and 3-9-0 (sixth place) in the CHA.
In an evenly-played first period, Air Force again had the shot advantage, but could not find a weakness in Colonial goalie Christian Boucher. Air Force outshot Robert Morris, 8-6, in the period. For the first time in six games, the Falcons held the opponent scoreless in the first period as Peter Foster stopped all six shots he faced.
The Falcons struck first with a second-period power-play goal by Brian Reese at the 5:35 mark. Michael Mayra fed Brian Gineo at the point and his shot was saved by Boucher. However, Reese was camped at the top of the crease, and put away the back-hand rebound at the 5:35 mark. Foster stopped the only shot he faced in the period. Boucher kept the Colonials alive, making 15 saves in 20 minutes.
Early in the third period, Air Force’s Matt Charbonneau was called for a five-minute checking-from-behind penalty. RMU capitalized and tied the game 1:54 into the power play. Sean Berkstresser took a shot from behind the net that hit the skate of Foster. The puck sat just outside the goal line and David Boguslawski tipped it in to tie the game.
Air Force answered to take a 2-1 lead on Mayra’s power-play goal at 6:40 of the third period. Eric Ehn fed Mayra at the point and his shot hit off the cross bar and went in. Three minutes later, the Colonials tied the game on Kurt Wright’s goal at the 9:54 mark. Andrew Bonello made a pass from the corner to Wright who was camped in front of the net. His ninth of the season tied the game at 2-2.
The Colonials netted the game-winner at the 15:09 mark off the stick of Jace Buzek. On a rush up ice, Buzek’s shot from the left faceoff dot beat Foster high to the far corner for a 3-2 lead.
Air Force pulled its goaltender with 2:05 remaining and had several chances after keeping the puck in the offensive zone. After a penalty on RMU, the Falcons had a two-man advantage for the final 23 seconds. However, Boucher made a couple big saves, and some timely clears by the defensemen preserved the victory.
The Falcons outshot the Colonials, 33-17, in the game. The Falcons were 2-for-7 on the power play while RMU was 1-for-6. Foster made 14 saves for the Falcons while Boucher made 31. In the two-game series, Boucher made 70 saves.
