Robert Morris defeats Penn State, 5-2, to earn first win of the season
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — In a rare midweek battle of two teams each searching for their first win of the season, the Robert Morris Colonials (1-4, 0-0 AHA) took down the Penn State Nittany Lions (0-4, 0-0 Big 10) 5-2 Tuesday night at Pegula Ice Arena.
With the Colonials hanging on to a slim 3-2 lead, and the Nittany Lions pushing relentlessly for the equalizer, forward George Krotiris' timely insurance goal — his second goal of the game — gave Robert Morris a 4-2 lead with just over three minutes to play in the game. Jackson Reineke's emopty net goal and goaltender Lucas Massie's 33 saves secured the 5-2 victory.
Robert Morris jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead just 20 seconds into the game on a breakaway by Patrick Johnson. Michael Felsing added to the Colonial lead to make it 2-0 by notching his first goal of the season at the 15:36 mark off the first. Krotiris scored a power play goal (the first in 4 power play attempts of the first period for the Colonials) with less than a minute remaining in the first to give Robert Morris a commanding 3-0 lead going into the first intermission. It looked like Colonial domination. Robert morris outshot Penn State 15-6 in the first frame.
But what was an undisciplined first period for Penn State turned into the same story for the Colonials in the second. Outshooting Robert Morris 19-6 in the middle frame, Penn State had four power play opportunities in the period, and the Nittany Lions looked to claw their way back from the three goal deficit.
The comeback attempt started with Justin Poirier’s first of two goals in the game. At 14:31 of the second period, he got Penn State on the board by beating Massie. It provided a spark — and some hope — that carried over into the third period.
Poirier notched his second of the game less than five minutes into the final frame — a power play goal just five seconds into a Gabriel Lunn tripping minor. It pulled the Nittany Lions within a goal, 3-2, but it was all Penn State could do. Massie stood tall in net for the Colonials, holding off the last efforts by Penn State as Krotiris scored his second of the game and Jackson Reineke added the empty net goal.
The Colonials will travek for a two-game series at Bentley University on October 23-24. Penn State will still look for their first win of the season as they host the Canisius Griffins on october 23-24 at Pegula Ice Arena.
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