| 1/3/2003 9:22:30 PM
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ROCHESTER, N.Y. - The No. 4 Rochester Institute of Technology men's hockey team rebounded from its first loss of the season with a 5-1 victory against Amherst in non-conference action Friday night.
The Tigers (9-1-1) made their first appearance in Frank Ritter Arena in just under two months since an 8-1 victory against Neumann on Nov. 9.
Despite the familiar surroundings, Amherst (2-5-1) took the early advantage on Josh Hoffman's goal at 1:33 of the first period from Scott Aldrich and Brett Farson. The game stood that way until the 13:37 mark of the first period when Michael Tucciarone (Richmond Hill, Ont./Stouffville Spirit) scored his first of two on the evening to knot the game at 1-1. Mike Tarantino (Oakville, Ont./Oakville Blades) and Jason Chafe (Stoney Creek, Ont./Burlington Cougars) recorded the helpers on the Tucciarone goal.
Tarantino set up the next two goals including the eventual game-winner from Ryan Fairbarn (Innisfil, Ont./Georgetown Raiders) 39 seconds into the second period to give RIT a 2-1 lead. Then just before the end of the second Sam Hill (Strathroy, Ont./St. Thomas Jr. B) connected after Tarantino won a face-off back to Hill who wristed one past Amherst goaltender Jaffrie Perrotti from the right side of face-off circle.
J.R. Holmes (Toronto, Ont./Soo Thunderbirds) gave the Tigers a 4-1 lead 6:14 into the third period off feeds from Adam George (LaFayette, N.Y./Syracuse Stars) and Brent Macovi (Stoney Creek, Ont./Hamilton Kilty Bees). Then Tucciarone added his second of the game from Jared Conlon (Morristown, N.J./Trinity Pawling) and Ian Fazzi (San Jose, CA/Northwood Prep).
Tyler Euverman (Surrey, B.C./Prince George) returned to form with 27 stops including some very big saves one-on-one saves in the second and third periods.
RIT continues its eight-game homestand on Saturday, Jan. 4 at 7 p.m. against Williams which fell 7-3 at Elmira Friday night.
