TROY, NY -- The RIT (5-11-1) men's hockey team was defeated by Rensselaer (8-6-3), 10-7 in a shoot out on Saturday at Houston Field House. The Tigers held leads in the first and second periods but could not hold on as the Tigers allowed the most goals of the season (10).

In an exciting first period RIT drew first on an even strength goal by Simon Lambert (Ste.-Therese, PQ/Cumberland Grads) (Ste.-Therese, PQ) at 3:40. Sophomore Darrell Draper (Tigard, OR/Cowichon Capitals) (Tigard, OR) dug the puck out from behind and fed a cutting Lambert who beat Rensselaer goaltender Jordan Alford for his team-leading ninth goal of the season.

The Engineers knotted the game at 1-1 at 9:06 of the first on Kevin Croxton's ninth goal of the season. Croxton took a pass from Jonathan Ornelas and skated in on RIT goaltender Louis Menard (Chicoutimi, PQ/Ottawa Jr. Senators) who got a piece of the puck but not enough as it snuck underneath his pads.

The Tigers took a 2-1 lead just 21 seconds later on a goal by Brennan Sarazin (Nepean, ON/Nepean) (Nepean, ON). Marc Hyman (Thornhill, ON/Thornhill Rattlers) (Thornhill, ON) ripped a slap shot from the point that Sarazin, who was standing next to the net, tipped past Alford at 9:27.

The Engineers answered back at 10:45 when Kevin Broad skated in on Menard and roofed a shot over the freshman's shoulder, tying the game at 2-2.

RIT took the lead back at 16:57 on a power play goal by Darrel Draper. Freshman Steve Pinizzotto (Mississauga, ON/Oakville Blades) (Mississauga, ON) worked hard behind the net and found Draper standing at the side of the net. He one-timed the puck past Alford, giving the Tigers a 3-2 lead.

Each team combined for eight goals in the second period. Rensselaer stormed out of the gate, scoring three straight goals to take a 5-3 lead. The first came at 5:53 from Kevin Croxton on an assist from Oren Eisenman.

The Engineers made it 4-3 at 8:30 of the second on a power play goal by Jonathan Ornelas. Rensselaer took a two goal lead at 9:36 on Scott Romfo's first goal of the season.

Brennan Sarazin (Nepean, ON/Nepean) pulled RIT to within a goal at 5-4 with his second goal of the game. Darren Doherty (Douro, ON/Cobourg Cougars) (Douro, ON) fed Sarazin from behind the net as he was cutting down the middle and his one-timer beat Alford over his shoulder.

 

Steve Pinizzotto (Mississauga, ON/Oakville Blades) tied the score at 5-5 at 11:05 of the period. Matt Harris (Toronto, ON/Ajax Axemen) (Toronto, ON) took a shot from the point that was blocked by a Rensselaer defender. The rebound came to Pinizzotto who was parked to the side of the net and he scored on an open net.

Darren Doherty (Douro, ON/Cobourg Cougars) gave the Tigers a 6-5 lead at 12:07 of the second on an assist from Sarazin. He fed an open Doherty who was to the side of the RPI net.

RPI would not give up as Croxton and Andrew Lord scored for the Engineers late in the period to give them a 7-6 lead.

RPI made it 8-6 just 41 seconds into the third on a goal by Dan Peace.

 

RIT cut the Engineers lead to a goal at 8-7 on Steve Pinizzotto (Mississauga, ON/Oakville Blades)'s second goal of the evening. Darrell Draper (Tigard, OR/Cowichon Capitals) took a shot that Mathias Lange saved. The rebound came right to Pinzzotto who banged home the rebound at 7:11.

 

Rensselaer added two goals midway through and late in the third period from Oren Eizenman and Chris Hussey.

In between those two goals tempers flared on both sides as a myriad of penalties was doled out.

 

RIT goaltender Louis Menard (Chicoutimi, PQ/Ottawa Jr. Senators) (Chicoutimi, PQ) got his first start of his career, allowing 10 goals and making 22saves.

RIT is off until December 30 when the Tigers travel to the Air Force Academy.