Three Rivers Classic preview: Robert Morris vs Penn State showdown

Photo: Dominique Murray

Robert Morris University

The event’s home team, and reason for the Three Rivers classic in the first place, is the Robert Morris Colonials, Pittsburgh’s only Division I hockey team.

Despite the small size of the school, it’s hockey team has quietly become a stable and highly competitive organization. As of the last USCHO polls, the Colonials are unranked, but received 11 votes, making them technically the 24th best team in the nation.

The Three Rivers Classic began as an evolution of the games played by Robert Morris in the past against Ohio State and Miami at Mellon Arena, and now has solidified it’s place as an annual tournament at Consol Energy Center.

Even though the Colonials currently boast a 9-4-3 record, head coach Derek Schooley continues to expect more out of his team.

“We went on Christmas break (last) Saturday night after that 6-0 win,” Schooley said via Prisuta On Pucks. “We have to live with that until we play in the Three Rivers Classic. We’ve shown we have the ability to beat any team on any night but we need to see that consistency every game.”

Lots of those players not only prove their hard work by being physical and getting to their right spots on the ice, but also on the stat sheet as well. Senior forward Zac Lynch currently ranks sixth in the nation in scoring with 25 points, with other Colonial forwards Greg Gibson and Brendan Denham not far behind, in 12th and 17th place. Lynch is also first in the nation in shorthanded goals this season with four.

The offense currently can have no complaints as they lead the nation in power-play conversions, and are tied for second in goals per game with, you guessed it, Penn State.

Next: Penn State Nittany Lions