| 12/9/2006 10:43:38 PM

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ERIE, PA -- The RIT men's hockey team scored four times in the first period en route to a 6-4 win over Mercyhurst College in Atlantic Hockey Association action on Saturday evening. The win is RIT's fifth straight and improves them to 8-5-2 overall and 8-2-1 in the AHA.

Matt Smith (Toronto, ON/Kitchener Dutchmen) (Toronto, ON), Brent Patry (Ottawa, ON/Cumberland Grads) (Ottawa, ON), Ricky Walton (Hamilton, ON/Hamilton Red Wings) (Hamilton,ON) and Brennan Sarazin (Nepean, ON/Nepean Raiders) (Nepean,ON) each lit the lamp for the Tigers in the opening stanza to give RIT a commanding lead.

Matt Crowell (Kelowna, BC/Williams Lake Timberwolves)'s (Kelowna, BC) goal at 15:52 of the second was sandwiched in between two Mercyhurst goals, giving RIT a 5-3 heading into the third period. Patry and Anton Kharin (Moscow, Russia/Bay State Breakers) (Moscow, Russia) had the assists on the play.

The Lakers came out with a lot of fire in the third period, putting great pressure on the Tigers defense. Matt Smith (Toronto, ON/Kitchener Dutchmen)'s goal broke Mercyhurst's back and their momentum.

He scored a power play goal on assist from Patry and Al Mazur (Burnaby, BC/Langley Hornets) (Burnaby, BC) giving RIT a 6-3 lead. Mercyhurst added a late goal but it wasn't enough as RIT held on for their fifth straight win.

Louis Menard (Chicoutimi, PQ/Ottawa Jr. Senators) (Chicoutimi, PQ) got the start in net for RIT,making 24 saves . RIT out shot the Lakers 40-28 and went 3-for-7 with the power play.

RIT is off until December 29 when they take on Army in West Point, New York.