RMU Hockey: Colonials Maintain Top 20 Ranking Heading Into Three Rivers Classic

Following a successful fall semester, the Robert Morris University men’s hockey team will take a top 20 ranking into its holiday break – and the upcoming Three Rivers Classic.

In the latest United States College Hockey Online (USCHO) national poll released Monday, RMU is listed at No. 19. This is the third consecutive week the Colonials (11-2-3) have been ranked in the USCHO top 20 and the sixth time in seven weeks they’ve earned a number next to their name.

Now 9-2-3 in Atlantic Hockey Conference play, the Colonials maintained their first-place standing in the league by splitting a pair against Mercyhurst over the weekend in Erie. RMU bumped its winning streak to four with a rollicking 7-4 victory Saturday night, then fell 3-0 on Sunday despite firing 41 shots on goal and a season-high 85 attempts. It was the first time in nearly two years that the Colonials were shut out, ending a remarkable 73-game streak.

More from Robert Morris University

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• Three Rivers Classic: Robert Morris vs Penn State recap
• Three Rivers Classic preview: Robert Morris vs Penn State showdown
• Rodney Pryor, RMU guard, named Northeast Conference Player of the Week

Previous to this season, RMU had never been ranked in consecutive USCHO polls. Published by the Associated Press, the USCHO survey consists of 50 voters, including coaches, beat writers and other sports professionals from across the country. Teams receive 20 points for a first-place vote, 19 for a second-place vote, and so on.

In other relevant rankings, the Colonials rose one spot to 21st in both the PairWise and the Ratings Percentage Index (RPI). PairWise attempts to mimic the NCAA’s tournament selection process, while RPI is one of the metrics used to set the 16-team postseason field.

Up next, the Colonials compete in the third annual Three Rivers Classic on Dec. 29-30 at Pittsburgh’s CONSOL Energy Center. Robert Morris joins the NHL’s Penguins in hosting the event, which also features 20th-ranked Penn State, No. 17 Colgate and Western Michigan.

Colgate and Western Michigan will square off at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 29 to start the tournament, with the Colonials and Nittany Lions scheduled to play at 7:30. It will be the first meeting between ranked teams in Three Rivers Classic history. The consolation and championship games are set for Tuesday, Dec. 30 at 4:30 and 7:30, respectively.

RMU won the inaugural Three Rivers Classic in 2012, while Boston College took the trophy last year. Keep it here on City of Champions for full coverage of the tournament.