Ann Arbor, MI- The RIT Men’s Hockey team scored a season-high eight goals on Friday night, defeating the USA Under-18 National Team in a shootout, 8-5.

 

RIT came out with a flurry of goals in the 1^st period. Darrell Draper (Tigard, OR/Cowichon Capitals) (Tigard, OR) started the scoring 4 minutes into the game when he pounded in a rebound off the initial shot by Rob Tarantino (Oakville, ON/Oakville Blades) (Oakville, ON). An additional assist went to Simon Lambert (Ste.-Therese, PQ/Cumberland Grads) (St. Therese, PQ).

 

 Later in the 1^st period, Matt Smith (Toronto, ON/Kitchener Dutchmen) (Missisauga, ON) deflected Brad Harris (Winnipeg, MB/Leamington Flyers)’ shot over the left shoulder of Team USA Goalie Brett Bennett to give the Tigers a 2 goal lead. Ricky Walton (Hamilton, ON/Hamilton Red Wings) (Hamilton, ON) also received on assist on the goal.

 

Senior Co-Captain Darren Doherty (Douro, ON/Cobourg Cougars) (Duoro, ON) slammed home a huge rebound after Brennan Sarazin (Nepean, ON/Nepean) (Nepean, ON) took a shot from the top of the face off circle with 3:13 to play in the first. Brent Patry (Ottawa, ON/Cumberland Grads) (Nepean, ON) made the score 4-0 when he rifled a shot from the high slot after Stephen Burns (Newmarket, ON/Newmarket Hurricanes) (Newmarket, ON) drove to the net and passed the puck to Patry who was hovering in front.

 

In the final minute of the period Team USA answered back with two quick goals. Both goals were scored by Patrick Kane.

 

Team USA climbed within one goal when Kane completed the natural hat-trick by pulling a nifty deke and sliding the puck past Guimond at 6:31 of the 2^nd period. RIT then killed off a 5x3 power play including a 4 minute double minor to Brad Harris (Winnipeg, MB/Leamington Flyers).

 

Team USA notted the score at 4-4 less than 2 minutes into the 3^rd as Bill Sweatt took a hard shot that beat Jocelyn Guimond (St.-Edouard-de-Lotbiniere, PQ/Williams Lake) (Quebec City, PQ) on the glove side.

 

RIT came roaring back less than 40 seconds later as Tristan Fairbarn (Innisfill, ON/Newmarket Hurricanes) (Innisfill, ON) beat the USA goaltender to the stick side. The Tigers then increased their lead to back to two goals when Brad Harris (Winnipeg, MB/Leamington Flyers) (Winnipeg, MB) fought through a Team USA defender and beat Bennett off of a quick pass from Ricky Walton (Hamilton, ON/Hamilton Red Wings). Rob Tarantino (Oakville, ON/Oakville Blades) added to the Tigers lead late in the game when he poked the puck in the net after the USA goalie left a big rebound to the right of the net. The assists went to Fairbarn and Steve Farrer (Belle River, ON/Chatham Jr. Maroons) (Belle River, ON).

 

The tough USA squad fought to bring the score back to within two goals as Patrick Kane scored his 2^nd power play goal, 4^th of the night. RIT however put the icing on the cake as Matt Smith (Toronto, ON/Kitchener Dutchmen) scored the empty net marker with 9.7 seconds left to play.

RIT was outshot 42-29. Sophomore goalie Jocelyn Guimond (St.-Edouard-de-Lotbiniere, PQ/Williams Lake) made 37 saves for the Tigers.

 

The same two teams face off again tomorrow at 7 pm at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube in Ann Arbor, Michigan.