Feb. 14, 2009

MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. (RMU Island Sports Center) -- Robert Morris University senior Chris Margott netted a first-period, power-play goal and goaltender Brooks Ostergard slammed the door Bemidji State University stopping all 32 Beaver scoring attempts to shut BSU out, 3-0, Saturday at RMU Island Sports Center.

While the loss snapped the Beavers' five-game wining streak, the Colonials used the College Hockey America victory to reverse their recent luck posting their first win in six attempts.

Despite out shooting RMU 32-28, including a 14-8 advantage in the third frame, the Beavers were unable to break Ostergard and find the back of the net, dropping their first game since January 23. The shutout also marks the first time the Beavers have been held without a goal since a 6-0 loss at Air Force Oct. 18.

The Colonials got on the board at the 12:26 mark of the first period. RMU got the break it needed when Shea Walters (Fr., F, Hibbing, Minn.) was whistled for the first penalty of the game putting Robert Morris on the power-play 11:58 into the contest. Margott put the hosts up 1-0 just 28 seconds into the man advantage snapping a streak during which the BSU penalty-kill unit had not allowed a goal on nearly nine periods. Nathan Longpre and Denny Urban were credited with assists on the eventual game-winning goal.

After a scoreless second stanza, the Colonials got an insurance goal on an unassisted talley by Jason Towsley with just over seven minutes to play.

As time ticked off the clock, desperation set in on the Beavers and BSU head coach Tom Serratore played opted to pull goaltender Matt Dalton (So., G, Clinton, Ontario) to add an extra attacker. Although the Beavers piled up quality scoring chances, they were unable to score and Ron Cramer added an empty-net goal with eight seconds left in regulation to lock up the 3-0 win.

Margott's goal on the man advantage was the only special teams marker of the game. RMU finished the contest 1-for-4 on the power-play while the Colonials held BSU scoreless on five chances.

In 57:58 of play, Dalton stood in front of 25 RMU shots, but allowed two goals and was tagged with the loss. He falls to 13-9-0 on the season.

Ostergard was flawless in the game turing away all 32 BSU shots for not only his first collegiate shutout, it also stood as the freshman's first win for the Colonials. He moves to 1-2-0 in 2008-09.

Bemidji State will attempt to square the series and keep a handle on the top spot in the CHA standings tomorrow. The opening face off for the rare SUnday matinee is set for 4 p.m.

--bsu--