| 12/18/2004 9:41:44 PM

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ROCHESTER, NY -- The #7 RIT men's hockey team could not complete the sweep against the USA Under-18 team as they defeated the Tigers 5-2 on Saturday evening at Ritter Arena.

Team USA got on the board first when Peter Mueller wristed a shot over RIT goalie David Wrisley (Ithaca, NY/Northwood Prep)'s (Ithaca, NY) shoulder off an assist from Andreas Vlassopoulos.

USA made it 2-0 at 6:15 of the second period on an even strength goal by Jack Skille. Vlassopoulos fed him the puck right in front of Wrisley and beat him with a well placed shot.

The Tigers answered back with a pair of goals in the second period to tie the score at 2-2.

The first came on the power play. Steve Farrer (Belle River, Ont./Chatham Jr. Maroons) (Belle River, Ontario) skated in passed two defenders and put a nifty back-handed shot over USA goalie Jeff Frazee to cut Team USA's lead to 2-1.

Then, at 15:46 of the second Simon Lambert (Ste.-Therese, Quebec/Cumberland Grads) (Ste.-Therese, Quebec) blasted a slap shot past Frazee. Brent Patry (Ottawa, Ont./Cumberland Grads) (Ottawa, Ontario) got the play started with a blast from the point. Frazee made the save but the rebound came right to Lambert whose shot whizzed right by Frazee for the goal.

Team USA took the lead for good late in the second when Jack Johnson scored on a shot from the points, giving USA a 3-2 lead.

USA added two goals in the third period by Nathan Gerbe and Peter Mueller giving them the 5-2 win.

RIT outshot Team USA 30-23 on Saturday including 15-6 in the third. RIT was 1-for-10 on the power play while Team USA went 3-for-12.

RIT goalie David Wrisley (Ithaca, NY/Northwood Prep) was solid in net for the Tiers making 18 saves.

RIT will host Plattsburgh State on Saturday, January 8 at 7 p.m. at Ritter Arena.