| 12/3/2004 10:35:13 PM

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GENEVA, NY -- The 8th ranked RIT (5-2-1, 2-1-1 ECAC West) men's hockey team skated to a 2-2 tie against #14 Hobart College on Friday evening. RIT co-captain Michael Tucciarone (Richmond Hill, Ont./Stouffville Spirit) (Richmond Hill, Ontario) tallied both RIT goals each coming on 5-on-3 power plays.

All three goals on Friday came on 5-on-3 power plays.

George Eliopoulos (Markham, Ont./St. Michaels Buzzers) (Markham,Ontario) made 40 saves against the Statesmen, including 13 in the third period.

In a raucus Geneva Receational Center the Tigers fell behind early in the first period when Will Bodine converted a 5-on-3 power play at the 4:53 mark.

Hobart's lead was short-lived as the Tigers tied the score at 7:45 of the first on Tucciarone's first goal of the night. The senior winger took the puck from Marc Hyman (Thornhill, Ont./Thornhill Rattlers) (Thornhill, Ontario) and stuffed it past Hobart goalie Dimitri Papaevagelou, tying the score at 1-1.

Early in the second period RIT took a 2-1 lead on Tucciarone's second goal of the evening. On a face-off deep in Hobart's zone. Matt Smith (Toronto, Ont./Kitchener Dutchmen) (Toronto, Ontario) won the draw and passed it over to Jason Chafe (Stoney Creek, Ont./Burlington Cougars) (Stoney Creek, Ontario). Chafe, who leads the Tigers in scoring, fed the puck over to Tucciarone who ripped a shot past Papaevagelou.

The Tigers had several excellent scoring chances in the second and third periods but Papavaegelou came up with some big saves, including two breakaways by frehman Ricky Walton (Hamilton, Ont./Hamilton Kilty Bees) (Hamilton, Ontario).

Late in the third period RIT found themselves down two men again. The Statesmen took advantage of the two-man edge and tied the score at 2-2 on a goal by Edward Poirier at 16:36.

Each time fired one shot on goal in the overtime session

RIT was out shot by Hobart 42-36. The Tigers penalty kill unit was outstanding once again killing off 11 of 13 power plays of the Statesmen, inlcuding three 5-on-3 advantages. RIT went 2-11 on the power play.

RIT will host ECAC West foe Neumann College on Saturday evening at 7 p.m. at the Ritter Arena.