| 10/20/2006 9:54:55 PM

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ROCHESTER, NY – The RIT men’s hockey team exploded for five goals in the second period en route to an 8-3 win over American International College at a raucous Ritter Arena on Friday night.

Junior Ricky Walton (Hamilton, ON/Hamilton Red Wings) (Hamilton, ON) led a balanced Tigers attack, scoring two goals and adding two assists. Seven different players scored goals for RIT and the eight goals were the most scored since their entry into the Division I ranks.

“I think we have good balance up and down the lineup,” said Head Coach Wayne Wilson. “We were into the game physically which signified we were ready to play.”

RIT controlled play in the first period, out shooting AIC 11-6. RIT looked to get the game’s first goal but Brennan Sarazin (Nepean, ON/Nepean Raiders)’s (Nepean, ON) attempt was ruled a no-goal by the referee.

“I though we got off to a really quick start,” said RIT head coach Wayne Wilson. “The crowd was great and they helped us have a great first shift.”

Simon Lambert (Ste.-Therese, PQ/Cumberland Grads) (Ste.-Therese, PQ) gave RIT a 1-0 lead at 8:08 on a short-handed tally. Bobby Raymond (Lucknow, ON/Owen Sound Greys) (Lucknow, ON) started the break out from his own zone as the Tigers attempted to kill off a five-minute power play. He fed Justin Hofstetter (Bright, ON/Cambridge Winterhawks) (Bright, ON) who sped up the ice around several Yellowjackets defender. He fired a wrist shot on net and the rebound came right to Lambert and he poked home the puck for his first goal of the season.

After RIT killed off a 5-on-3 power play Matt Smith (Toronto, ON/Kitchener Dutchmen) (Toronto, ON) gave RIT a 2-0 lead. Steve Pinizzotto (Mississauga, ON/Oakville Blades) (Mississauga, ON) ripped a shot from the left hash mark. The rebound came to Lambert and he slipped a pass over to Smith who was waiting at the side of the net.

RIT exploded for five goals in the second period, opening up their lead on the Yellowjackets. The Tigers tallied three goals in a 1:24 span and two within 24 seconds.

Justin Hofstetter (Bright, ON/Cambridge Winterhawks) tallied his first goal of the season just 31 seconds into the period. He drove the net, fired a shot that Fenton saved and scored off the rebound which came right back to him.

Matt Crowell (Kelowna, BC/Williams Lake Timberwolves) (Kelowna, BC) made it 4-0 off assists from Ricky Walton (Hamilton, ON/Hamilton Red Wings) and Anton Kharin (Moscow, Russia/Bay State Breakers) (Twin Lake, MI). Walton drove into the zone and fed a pass over to Crowell who wristed a shot past Fenton.

Just 24 seconds later Kharin got his first collegiate goal with the assists going to Walton and Crowell. On RIT’s very next rush up the ice Walton fed a speeding Kharin who scored off a wide angle.

Ricky Walton (Hamilton, ON/Hamilton Red Wings) gave RIT a 6-0 lead with his second goal of the season. Tristan Fairbarn (Innisfill, ON/Newmarket Hurricanes) (Innisfill, ON) found Walton on the right side and fired a pass over. Walton one-timed a shot past Fenton into the open net.

After a pair of AIC goals from Jereme Tendler and Mike McMillan made it 6-2 Steve Pinizzotto (Mississauga, ON/Oakville Blades) closed out the scoring. Matt Smith (Toronto, ON/Kitchener Dutchmen) started the play, giving the puck off to Lambert behind the net. Lambert fed Pinizzotto for the power play goal.

Ricky Walton (Hamilton, ON/Hamilton Red Wings) rounded out the scoring for RIT late in the third period. He chipped home a pass from Kharin at the 17:52 mark of the third for his second of the contest.

Dean Yakura scored a power play goal on a slap shot from the point at 18:57 to make the final 8-3.

RIT out shot AIC 44-19 as Jocelyn Guimond (Quebec City, PQ/Williams Lake) picked up the win for the Tigers, making 15 saves. Jared DeMichiel (Avon, CT/Chicago Steel) (Avon, CT) played the final 9:15, making one save and allowing one goal. Tom Fenton made 21 saves for the Yellowjackets. Matt Tourville spelled Fenton when he came up with a knee injury, making 15 saves.

RIT improves to 1-2-1 overall and 1-0-0 in the Atlantic Hockey Association, AIC drops to 0-2-0 overall and 0-2-0 in the conference. These two teams will clash again on Saturday at 7 pm in Ritter Arena.