Men's Ice Hockey Earns Votes in the USCHO.com / CSTV Men’s Hockey Poll
 
The Robert Morris University men’s ice hockey team earned two votes in the latest USCHO.com / CSTV Division I Men’s Poll released Monday, October 17. The votes mark the second time that the Colonials have received votes in the poll and the first time since the first week of the 2004-05 season.

The ranking follows a convincing 5-2 win at Central Collegiate Hockey Association-member Western Michigan on Saturday afternoon. The Colonials broke open a 2-2 tie with three third period goals to record the win over head coach Derek Schooley’s alma mater. Robert Morris had four special-team goals in the game, three coming on the power play and one shorthanded.

The last time Robert Morris appeared in the poll followed a win in the team’s first-ever game at Canisius, Oct. 22, 2004. The Colonials earned one vote in the poll the following week.

In addition to earning a place in the national poll, the win helped sophomore Jake Sparks (Evergreen, Colo. / Central Texas Blackhawks) earn College Hockey America Defensive Player of the Week honors. Sparks power-play goal with 1:11 left in the first period tied the score at 1-1. He then assisted on senior Kurt Wright’s (Barnstable, Mass. / Univ. of Findlay) game-winning power-play goal in the third period.

The Colonials also posted a 6-5 exhibition game win over the USA Under-18 Team on Sunday afternoon. Sparks posted a goal and two assists in that game.

The Colonials, 1-1-0 on the year, travel to Bentley this weekend for a two-game series Friday and Saturday, Oct. 21 and 22. Robert Morris is 1-1-0 against Bentley all-time.

 
Released: 10/17/2005