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NORTHFORD, CT -- History was made on Saturday afternoon in Northford, Connecticut as the RIT men's hockey team earned their first Division I win. The Tigers defeated Air Force Academy, 5-2 in the consolation game of the 10th annual Q Cup. Brent Patry (Ottawa, ON/Cumberland Grads)'s goal at 5:14 of the third period proved to be the game-winner for the Tigers who improve to 1-1-0 on the season.

The Air Force Academy had the only goal in the first period. It was a short-handed tally at 4:59. Mike Knaeble took advantage of a RIT turnover in their zone and poked a shot past Tigers netminder Jocelyn Guimond (St.-Edouard-de-Lotbiniere, PQ/Williams Lake) (Quebec City, PQ).

RIT had some good chances late in the period while on the power play. The Tigers moved the puck around and generated five good shots on goal but could not sneak one past Air Force goalie Ian Harper.

RIT tied the score at 4:24 of the second period on a power play goal from Bobby Raymond (Lucknow, ON/Owen Sound Greys) (Lucknow, ON). Raymond took a pass from Brent Patry (Ottawa, ON/Cumberland Grads) (Ottawa, ON) and ripped a slap shot from the left point, beating Harper for the goal.

Jay Medenwaldt made it 2-1 Air Force at 8:28 of the second. He scored off a rebound on a shot from Brooks Turnquist.

The Tigers tied the game at 13:50 of the second. Simon Lambert (Ste.-Therese, PQ/Cumberland Grads) (Ste.-Therese, PQ) took a feed from Matt Smith (Toronto, ON/Kitchener Dutchmen) (Toronto, ON) right in front and one-timed a slapped shot past Harper.

RIT's defense killed off a two-man advantage of Ai Force to preserve the lead. Jocelyn Guimond (St.-Edouard-de-Lotbiniere, PQ/Williams Lake) made some big saves during that power play, keeping the game tied at 2-2.

The Tigers took the lead at 5:14 of the third period. Brent Patry (Ottawa, ON/Cumberland Grads) slapped a shot past Turner with RIT on the power play, making it 3-2. Simon Lambert (Ste.-Therese, PQ/Cumberland Grads) and Jesse Newman (Westbank, BC/Trail) (Westbank, BC) had the assists on the play.

The Tigers put the game out of reach with a pair of empty net goals late in the third period. The first came from Simon Lambert (Ste.-Therese, PQ/Cumberland Grads) at 18:29 to make it 4-2. Darren Doherty (Douro, ON/Cobourg Cougars) (Douro, ON) made it 5-2 with his first goal of the season.

 

Jocelyn Guimond (St.-Edouard-de-Lotbiniere, PQ/Williams Lake) was outstanding in net for the Tigers, making 23 saves. RIT was out shot by Air Force, 25-22. The Tigers went 2-for-9 on the power play and held the Falcons scoreless in nine attempts on the man advantage.

RIT will face Canisius College on Friday, October 21 in Buffalo, New York at 7 p.m. The Tigers regular season home opener is Saturday, October 22 at 7 p.m.