WALTHAM, Mass. – Bentley begins what they hope will be a lengthy playoff run on Saturday night when they host Robert Morris in the first round of the Atlantic Hockey Postseason at 7:00 PM.

The Matchup

The Falcons finished the regular season in sixth place in the Atlantic Hockey standings with a 12-12-2 record for 41 points. Robert Morris finished in 11^th with a 7-17-2 record for 25 points.

The only games this season between the two teams came way back in late October in Pittsburgh. RMU won the first game 4-3 after scoring twice in the final five minutes to overcome a 3-2 Falcons lead. Bentley though responded with a 3-0 shutout the next night. Nick Grabko made 29 saves for the shutout and goals were scored by Nick Bochen, Ryan Mansfield and A.J. Hodges.

The Falcons and Colonials have met three times previously in the postseason. RMU won each best of three series, two games to one; the 2016 quarterfinals, the 2018 first round and the 2019 quarterfinals.

Defensive Stoppers

For the first time in program history, Bentley ended the regular season leading Atlantic Hockey in scoring defense. Their goals allowed per game numbers of 2.29 (overall) and 2.23 (AHA games only) are both program records.

They finished the regular season tied for fifth nationally in scoring defense, fifth in fewest shots allowed per game (24.5) and seventh in penalty kill percentage (85.2 percent).

Shutdown

Bentley ended the regular season with five team shutouts, a new program record. That is the second most nationally at this point, behind eight for Wisconsin.

In 34 regular season games, the Falcons allowed two goals or fewer in 20 of them (58.8 percent). They've held opponents to two goals or fewer in seven straight games entering the postseason.

Goalie of the Week and Month

Sophomore goalie Connor Hasley was named the AHA Goalie of the Week on Monday and the Goalie of the Month for February.

He went 3-0-1 in four February starts with a 1.23 goals against average and a .952 save percentage. He didn't allow more than two goals in any game and recorded his third shutout of the season with a 32-save effort at Canisius on Feb. 9 in a 3-0 victory.

He closed the month with 30 saves in a 5-1 victory at Holy Cross on Feb. 22 and 22 saves in a 2-2 tie with Sacred Heart, plus two saves to help Bentley win the shootout.

He ended the regular season ranked second in Atlantic Hockey in goals against average (2.17) and ninth nationally.

Atlantic Hockey Postseason

The other first round matchups in the AHA Postseason are No. 7 Niagara against No. 10 Army West Point and No. 8 Canisius against No. 9 Mercyhurst.

The three first round winners advance to the best of three quarterfinals next weekend. One matchup is already set, with No. 4 Air Force hosting No. 5 AIC. The lowest remaining seed from this weekend will travel to No. 1 seed RIT.

If Bentley wins on Saturday, they will face the No. 3 seed Sacred Heart.