| 2/21/2004 8:59:09 PM
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GENEVA, NY -- The RIT (12-6-5, 6-2-2 ECAC West) men's hockey team was defeated by Hobart College (13-7-5, 7-2-1 ECAC West) 5-4 this afternoon in ECAC West action. It's the first loss to Hobart since the 1992-93 season and drops the Tigers out of contentioon for their fifth straight ECAC West regular season title. Hobart's Jonathan Swift scored two goals in the final five minutes to lead the Statesmen to victory over the 10th-ranked Tigers.
RIT wasted little time as sophomore Darren Doherty (Duoro, Ont./Cobourg Cougars) (Duoro, Ont.) converted on a Brad Harris (Portage La Prairie, Man./Leamington Flyers) (Portage La Prairie, Manitoba) pass just 57 seconds into the game to give the Tigers the 1-0 lead. Hobart junior Craig Levey found sophomore Colby McVey with a perfect centering pass to tie the game at one at the 6:57 mark. Just over three minutes later sophomore Edward Poirier gave Hobart a 2-1 advantage with a perfect shot over the shoulder of RIT goaltender George Eliopoulos (Markham, Ont./St. Michaels Buzzers) (Markham, Ont.).
After a scoreless second period, sophomore Lee Carrier made it a two goal game with a short-handed goal just two minutes into the final period.
Down 3-1, the Tigers turned up their play. Brad Harris (Portage La Prairie, Man./Leamington Flyers) got RIT to within a goal with a great individual effort. Harris poked the puck free and split two defenders, breaking in on Hobart goalie Adam Lavelle. As he was being hauled down from behind Harris flicked the puck over Lavelle's shoulder for the goal. Just 22 seconds later senior Matt Moore (Burlington, Ont./Brampton Capitals) (Burlington, Ontario) tied the score at 3-3 with his fourth goal of the season. Seven minutes later, junior forward Brian Payant (Antioch, IL/Fairfield University) (Antioch, IL) put the Tigers ahead again with a shot over the shoulder of Lavelle.
Hobart continued to pressure the RIT defense and their pressure paid off when Swift tied the game at four with five minutes left to play, putting back a rebound. Two minutes later the rookie winger scored the eventual game-winner with a power-play score on a pass from Poirier.
The Statesmen took a penalty late in the third, giving RIT one last chance to send the game into overtime. But, as they did all day long the Statesmen's penalty kill unit was spectacular, holding RIT scoreless. The Tigers held a 40-32 advantage on shots for the game.
Brad Harris (Portage La Prairie, Man./Leamington Flyers) and Darren Doherty (Duoro, Ont./Cobourg Cougars) each had strong games for RIT, posting a goal and an assist apiece. George Eliopoulos had 27 stops on 32 shots as RIT's power play went 0-for-5 on the afternoon, allowing a short-handed goal.
RIT is off until March 5-6 when they compete in the ECAC West Tournament at a site and an opponent to be determined.
