Michael Zuffante
Michael Zuffante

Robert Morris Rallies for 3-2 Overtime Win over Bentley

PITTSBURGH, Pa.- Robert Morris rallied from a 2-1 deficit with a late goal in regulation, followed by a goal 27 seconds into overtime, to deal the Bentley hockey team a tough 3-2 defeat on Friday night in Pittsburgh.

The Falcons led 2-1 after two periods on goals from Connor Brassard (Fitchburg, Mass.) and Michael Zuffante (Bloomingdale, Ill.), and some stellar goaltending from Aidan Pelino (Oakville, Ontario). Bentley killed off three different RMU power plays in the third period, but only 19 seconds after the third power play expired, RMU got the tying goal from left winger Michael Louria with 52 seconds left in regulation.

Left wing Alex Tonge then scored the winner 27 seconds into OT.

After a scoreless first period that saw Bentley have an 8-7 edge in shots, Brassard netted his seventh goal of the season at 8:26 of the second period to give them a 1-0 lead with a shot from the right face-off circle that beat RMU goalie Francis Marotte. Defenseman Brett Orr (Elkhorn, Manitoba) and Matt Riggleman (Milford, Mich.) had the assists.

RMU tied it about two minutes later on a power play goal from right winger Timmy Moore, but Bentley closed the period strong with a power play goal of its own. After the Colonials were called for a boarding penalty with 19 seconds left in the period, Bentley won the ensuing face-off in the offensive zone. Brassard played the puck to Zuffante, who snapped a shot past Marotte for the goal for a 2-1 Bentley lead with 13 seconds left in the period.

In the third period, Pelino made terrific sliding saves on each of RMU's first two power play's to keep Bentley's lead intact. Bentley then killed off a third RMU power play late in the period that expired with 1:11 remaining. Marotte was pulled for an extra-attacker, and the Colonials were able to find the tying goal as Louria redirected a centering pass from center Brady Ferguson from the left corner with 52 seconds left.

The Colonials found the winning goal 27 seconds into overtime after Tonge collected the loose puck after a shot from Moore was blocked, and scored on a shot in the slot to the top of the net.

RMU finished the night with a slight 31-30 edge in shots.

Bentley will look to bounce back in the series finale on Saturday, which gets underway at 4:05.