Box Score

HAMILTON, N.Y. (12/2/07) - Colgate University senior goaltender Mark Dekanich (North Vancouver, B.C.) made 38 saves to earn his first shutout of the season and lead his team to a 5-0 win to complete the weekend sweep of Robert Morris on Sunday, Dec. 2, at Starr Rink. The win boosts the Raiders' record back to .500, 7-7-2, on the season, while the Colonials drop to 6-5-1 on the year.

Dekanich made double-digit saves in all three periods, including 16 stops in the third period, as each team put 38 shots on net. Dekanich's shutout was the sixth of his career, which is tied for the second-highest total in school history. RMU senior goaltender Christian Boucher registered 32 saves, while freshman Jim Patterson, who saw 19 seconds of action following Colgate's second goal, made one stop.

The Raiders used a Colonial turnover to get their first goal of the game. As Colgate was working out of its own end, the puck was deflected high into the air in the neutral zone, and came down in the Raiders' offensive zone. Boucher collected the puck and attempted to pass it ahead to a teammate, but sophomore Jason Williams (Pefferlaw, Ont.) was forechecking hard, and he carried the puck away from the RMU player he was marking. Williams shot on net from the top of the right circle and beat Boucher high on his stick side.

Just 34 seconds later, the Raiders struck again. Sophomore David McIntyre (Pefferlaw, Ont.) sent the puck into the left corner, where freshman Brian Day (Danvers, Mass.) gained control of it while battling an RMU player. Day sent a centering pass to junior Tom Riley (Ottawa, Ont.) near the crease on the opposite side, and Riley one-timed the puck for a back-door goal.

After allowing two goals on three shots, Boucher went to the bench to regroup, and Patterson took over for the next play, before making way for the starter at the next whistle. Boucher was up to the task for the remainder of the period, but the Raiders refused to let up and scored again just 2:08 into the second period. Senior Tyler Burton (Langley, B.C.) got the puck to classmate Jesse Winchester (Long Sault, Ont.) on the right side. Winchester drew a defender to himself, making room for junior Peter Bogdanich (Burnaby, B.C.) in the slot. Winchester passed the puck to the open Bogdanich, who one-timed the puck past Boucher for his fourth goal of the year.

Midway through the middle frame, Colgate took a 4-0 lead. Riley carried the puck into the offensive zone on the right side, couldn't find a passing or shooting opportunity, so he carried it behind the net. On the other side, he crossed the puck to McIntyre as several Raiders were crashing the net. McIntyre found junior Mark Anderson (Hastings, Neb.) through traffic, and Anderson beat Boucher for his first goal of the season.

Colgate added its fifth goal with just over three minutes to play in the game. Riley took the puck from Day, carried it behind the net, and passed it to McIntyre who was waiting in the slot. McIntyre one-timed the puck through traffic for his fourth point of the weekend.

Colgate went 0-for-3 on the power play, and killed off all four Robert Morris extra-man opportunities, including a 5-on-3 situation late in the first period. For the first time this season, Colgate lost the faceoff battle, as Robert Morris won 37 draws compared to CU's 29.

The Raiders are off for the next four weeks as they take final exams and go home for the holidays. Colgate returns to action at the Badger Showdown, Fri.-Sat., Dec. 28-29, at Wisconsin. The Raiders play the host Badgers on the first night of the tournament, then take on either Bowling Green or Northeastern in the Saturday game.