| 1/11/2005 9:40:05 PM

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ROCHESTER, NY -- For the second straight game eight ranked RIT (7-4-1) men's hockey team fell to a SUNYAC team this time to #7 Fredonia State (12-1-1), 5-3. Senior Michael Tucciarone (Richmond Hill, Ont./Stouffville Spirit) (Richmond Hill, Ontario) became the 45th player in RIT history to score 100 career points.

Fredonia took a 1-0 lead at the 7:27 mark of the first period on a power play goal. Matt Zeman spotted Jim Gilbride in front of the net who one-timed it past George Eliopoulos (Markham, Ont./St. Michaels Buzzers) (Markham, Ontario) for a 1-0 Blue Devils lead.

RIT tied the score on a 5-on-3 power play at the 10:17 mark of the first. Michael Tucciarone fed Darren Doherty (Duoro, Ont./Cobourg Cougars) (Douro, Ontario) at the point. Doherty ripped a shot that beat Rick Cazares cleanly.

The assist by Tucciarone was his 100th career point, making him the 45th player in RIT history to reach that milestone. He now has 45 career goals and 55 assists in a Tiger sweater.

Just 33 seconds later Fredonia scored the first of two short-handed goals. The Blue Devils defense chipped the puck out of the zone that was gathered by Matt Zeman who broke in alone on Eliopoulos. Zeman got Eliopoulos to commit and beat him for a 2-1 Fredonia State lead.

With 2:04 to play in the first Darren Doherty (Duoro, Ont./Cobourg Cougars) turned the puck over when he tried a behind the back pass at the point that was intercepted by Zeman. He broke in on Eliopoulos again and beat him with a nifty move for a 3-1 Blue Devils lead. 

The second period went back and forth for the first 14 minutes. With both teams skating 4-on-4 the Blue Devils broke out of their zone. Joe Muli sped down the left side and got around RIT defender Brent Patry (Ottawa, Ont./Cumberland Grads) (Ottawa, Ontario). Muli roofed a backhanded shop over Eliopoulos' shoulder giving Fredonia a 4-1 lead.

RIT got to within 4-2 late in the second period. Freshman Darrell Draper (/Cowichon Caitals) (Portland, OR) kept the puck alive deep in Fredonia corner and centered a pass to Rob Tarantino (Oakville, Ont./Oakville Blades) (Oakville, Ontario) who one-timed it passed Cazares with 16 seconds to play.

In the third RIT's defense started firing pucks on net from the point which created some scoring chances for the Tigers. With 14:55 to play in regulation freshman Matt Harris (Toronto, Ont./Ajax Axemen) (Toronto, Ontario) fired a wrist shot from the point. Cazares made the save but the rebound came right Brent Macovi (Stoney Creek, Ont./Hamilton Kilty Bees) (Stoney Creek, Ontario) who fired the puck into the net making it 4-3.

RIT pulled Eliopoulos with a minute to go in regulation to get the extra skater on the ice. With RIT desparately trying to get the puck Fredonia dug it out of the zone where Joe Muli picked up and scored the empty-netter, giving Fredonia a 5-3 win.

RIT hosts Oswego State On Friday, January 14 at 7 p.m.