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Colonials Three-Peat!2010-02-21
 Avenge Regular-Season Losses to Canton in 4-3 O.T. Thriller(Pittsburgh, PA) -- The Colonials entered the ECHL playoffs as the 2nd seed but finished the tournament as champions for the third straight year.
The Colonials faced #4 seed Niagara University after a convincing 10-3 win against RIT in the opening round. The teams split the regular season series, but RMU was able to win the Saturday contest 5-2.
Niagara opened the scoring with two first period goals but the Colonials rallied with five straight goals for the win. The second period comeback began with a short-handed tally from senior forward/alternate captain Ben Konecheck (Washington Junior Nationals/Fredericksburg, VA). Sophomore Zach Stern (St. Augustine Prep/Ventnor City, NJ) followed up his 4-goal performance against RIT with 2 goals and 1 assist in the semi-final matchup.
Once again sophomore tender Brent Baburich (Shaler HS/Glenshaw, PA) battled his way to a win, his sixth in a row. It was clear the team was poised for a strong showing in the finals by outshooting Niagara 50-14 and holding them scoreless on 7 powerplay opportunities.
Sunday's ECHL Championship Game found the #1 seed SUNY-Canton Kangaroos against #2 RMU. Canton swept the regular season series by a combined score of 17-4, but the Colonials battled their way to a 4-3 OT victory. The teams traded chances throughout regulation with RMU goals by sophomore Kevin Miller (Hartford Wolfpack/Pittsburgh, PA), sophomore Zach Stern (St. Augustine Prep/Ventnor City, NJ),and junior captain Luke Bennett (Marquette Rangers/Anchorage, AK).
The OT winner came from Bennett, who battled through three Canton defenders to bury the winner over the Kangaroo netminder for his second goal of the game. Said RMU head coach Jason Evans, "We had high expectations for this season and we fell short for Nationals. However, the team decided we were going to finish strong and they really put it on the line this weekend. We learned a lot about our team, and I'm looking forward to finishing the year and preparing for 2010-2011."
All Tournament Team Awards went to Kevin Miller, Luke Bennett, and Zach Stern. Stern, who put up 11 points in three playoff games, was also named the Tournament MVP. This marks the third straight year a Colonial has earned that award (Bryan Chiavetta -- 2008 and 2009).
The Colonials leave the ECHL after five years of membership with four trips to the playoff finals, three straight playoff championships, and with three regular season championships. They also compiled an overall league record (including playoffs) of 52-9-1-2.
Congratulations to seniors; #2 - Stephen Kobert (CD Selects/Erie, PA), #12 - Nick Freidhoff (Johnstown Warriors/Johnstown, PA), #13 Matt MacQuilliam (Tri City Eagles/Crownsville, MD), #21 - Jasen Bange (Exeter Seawolves/Newark, DE), #23 - Morgan Munizza (Prince William Panthers/Centreville, VA) and #27 - Ben Konecheck (Washington Jr Nationals/Fredericksburg, VA). These six seniors were a part of three league championships and three national tournament appearances,making them the most successful senior class in RMU D-I hockey history.
The Colonials cap off the season with a trip to State College, PA, for a pair of games against #2 Nationally Ranked Penn State Icers. This is a big weekend for the Colonials and a preview of their new membership in the ESCHL (www.ESCHLhockey.com) where they will join Penn State University, University of Delaware, West Chester University, and University of Rhode Island. The Icers just won the ESCHL title last weekend, their third championship in a row. |
