| 1/24/2004 9:35:08 PM

ROCHESTER, NY -- The 11th ranked RIT men's hockey team avenged an early season loss to Oswego State with a 3-2 win over the 10th ranked Lakers this evening at Ritter Arena. Ryan Fairbarn (Innisfil, Ont./Georgetown Raiders)'s (Innisfil, Ont.) power play goal at 5:37 of the third period proved to be the game-winner as all of the Tiger's goals came on the power play.

RIT's first goal of the evening came after Matt Vashaw took an interference penalty for Oswego. Mike Tarantino (Oakville, Ont./Oakville Blades) (Oakville, Ont.) capitalized on the man-advantage with his 12th goal of the season. Jason Chafe (Stoney Creek, Ont./Burlington Cougars) took a pass from Ryan Fairbarn (Innisfil, Ont./Georgetown Raiders) (Innisfil, Ont.) and fed it to Tarantino for the goal, giving the Tigers a 1-0 lead. Despite several scoring chances by both teams Tarantino's goal would be the only scoring in the first period as George Eliopoulos (Markham, Ont./St. Michaels Buzzers) (Markham, Ont.) stopped all 18 shots he faced and Tyson Gajda stopped 23 of 24 shots.

Oswego came out and tied the game at 1-1 just 18 seconds into the second period. Rob Smith took a pass from Joe Carrabs and beat Eliopoulos from close range for just his second goal of the season. That gave the Lakers some life as they used the momentum to put additional pressure on Eliopoulos and the Tigers. However, late in the second RIT took advantage of another power play opportunity. Roberto Orofiamma (Woodbridge, Ont./Vaughn Vipers) (Woodbridge, Ont.) and Darren Doherty (Duoro, Ont./Cobourg Cougars) (Douro, Ont.) worked the give and go to perfection. Orofiamma passed the puck to Doherty who gave it right back to Orofiamma who beat Gajda over his right shoulder, giving RIT a 2-1 lead.

The Tigers were looking for an an insurance goal in the third to give themselves some breathing room. Their wish was granted when Ryan Fairbarn (Innisfil, Ont./Georgetown Raiders) blasted a shot from the point that deflected off an Oswego player, giving RIT a 3-1 lead. Fairbarn one-timed a pass from Ryan Francke (Long Point, Ont./St. Thomas Stars) (Long Point, Ont.) that somehow made it through traffic and into the back of the net. RIT held the two-goal lead until late in the third when Sean Kotary converted a power play opportunity for the Lakers, cutting RIT's lead to 3-2. Late in the period Oswego pulled their goalie but could not convert as Jocelyn Dubord took a late penalty within the last minute of play, forcing Oswego to put Gajda back in the net. RIT was able to kill the clock, earning a hard-fought 3-2 victory.

Ryan Fairbarn (Innisfil, Ont./Georgetown Raiders), Roberto Orofiamma (Woodbridge, Ont./Vaughn Vipers) and Ryan Francke (Long Point, Ont./St. Thomas Stars) led RIT with two points apiece. Fairbarn and Orofiamma each had a goal and an assist, while Francke contributed two assists. George Eliopoulos (Markham, Ont./St. Michaels Buzzers) made 32 saves in net for the Tigers, improving his record to 8-3-4 on the season.

The Tigers are off until Saturday, January 31 when they host ECAC West opponent Hobart College. Face-off is at 7 p.m.