SCHENECTADY, NY -- The RIT (0-2-1) men's hockey team played to a 2-2 tie on Saturday versus Union College (2-0-1).

 

RIT's defense had to be sharp early, killing off a two-man penalty. Junior netminder Jocelyn Guimond (Quebec City, PQ/Williams Lake) (Quebec City, PQ) made three or four great saves to keep the game scoreless.

 

RIT took a 1-0 lead at 8:24 of the first period. Steve Pinizzotto (Mississauga, ON/Oakville Blades) (Mississauga, ON) scored on a nice pass from Simon Lambert (Ste.-Therese, PQ/Cumberland Grads) (Ste.-Therese, PQ). Matt Smith (Toronto, ON/Kitchener Dutchmen) (Toronto, ON) started the play with a shot from the point. Lambert gathered the rebound at the side of the net a zipped a pass across the crease to a waiting Pinizzotto who one-timed the puck into the open net.

 

Guimond closed out the period with a couple of big saves from close range to keep the Dutchmen off the scoreboard. Jason Walters and Mario Valery-Trabucco had great chances from in close but Guimond calmly turned their efforts aside.

Union got back in the game in the second period thanks to RIT penalties. The Dutchmen scored two power play goals in the second period on five chances.

 

T.J. Fox made it 1-1 at 8:06 of the period on an assist from Lane Caffaro. Augie DiMarzo gave Union a 2-1 lead at 10:49 on an assist from Fox.

RIT tied the game at 14:39. Steve Pinizzotto (Mississauga, ON/Oakville Blades) drove the net hard. He somehow found Al Mazur (Burnaby, BC/Langley Hornets) (Burnaby, BC) who scored his first collegiate goal, tying the game at 2-2.

There was no scoring in the third period but plenty of action. The pace of play opened up and the action was intense. RIT had a couple of good chances late in the period but Union's goaltender kept the game tied.

 

Guimond showed his abilities, calmly turning aside shot after shot by the Dutchmen.

Both teams had their share of chances in the overtime. Simon Lambert (Ste.-Therese, PQ/Cumberland Grads) had a chance right in front of the Union net but Mrazek turned the shot aside.

Guimond made a couple of key saves in the overtime to preserve the tie for RIT.

 

RIT plays their home opener next Friday when they host Atlantic Hockey foe American International College at 7 pm in Ritter Arena.