BUFFALO, N.Y. – Jeff Gilbert scored two goals, including the game-winner at the 7:08 mark of the third period to lead Robert Morris University to a 3-1 victory over host Canisius College in non-conference action at the Buffalo State Sports Arena Friday night. The win is Robert Morris’ first victory in hockey as a NCAA Division I member and improves the Colonials to 1-0-0. Canisius falls to 0-2-1.

Canisius opened the scoring midway through the first period on senior captain Fred Coccimiglio’s first goal of the season at the 10:23 mark. The power-play tally gave the Griffs an early 1-0 lead. Coccimiglio grabbed a loose puck of a rebound and beat Robert Morris netminder Christian Boucher. Fellow senior Ryan Corcoran and freshman Mike Ruberto assisted on the goal.

Robert Morris would rattle off three unanswered goals to overpower the Griffs and take home its first victory in program history. Bill Menozzi knotted the game at a goal piece at the 3:03 mark of the second period. Menozzi beat Canisius senior goalie Bryan Worosz between the pads from the face-off circle for the first goal in the Colonials’ history. Gilbert would follow with the eventual game-winner 7:08 into the final period with a power-play goal and then seal the win for Robert Morris with an empty-net goal with two seconds remaining in the game. Joe Federoff finished with two assists for the Colonials.

Worosz finished with 27 saves for Canisius. Boucher posted 29 saves for Robert Morris. Canisius went 1-for-9 on the power play, while the Colonials were 1-for-11. The teams were tied in shots on goal with 30 apiece.

Canisius returns to action Saturday evening on the road at Robert Morris at 7:35 p.m.