| 2/10/2006 10:34:01 PM
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HUNTSVILLE, AL - The RIT men's hockey team was out-played for two periods by Alabama-Huntsville but stormed back in the third period, scoring three goals. However, their effort fell short as the Chargers defeated the Tigers, 4-3.
RIT did not play particularly well in the first period. The Tigers could muster just three shots on goal, while yielding 14. Brent Patry (Ottawa, ON/Cumberland Grads) (Ottawa, ON) had a solid chance midway throught the period. He pinched down from his defensive spot and was one-on-one with UAH's goaltender. He wristed a shot that Scott Munroe snatched out of the air.
Simon Lambert (Ste.-Therese, PQ/Cumberland Grads) (Ste.-Therese, PQ) had a chance while RIT was on a power play late in the period but again the goalkeeper was equal to the task.
The Chargers took a 1-0 lead with 8:47 to play in the first on a power play goal. Matt Sweazy took a pass from Bruce Mulherin and beat Jocelyn Guimond (St.-Edouard-de-Lotbiniere, PQ/Williams Lake) (Quebec City, PQ) from in close.
Alabama-Huntsville made it 2-0 with less than three minutes to play in the opening period when Shaun Arvai out-hustled the Tigers defense for his second goal of the season.
The second period saw RIT generate a few more scoring chances but still no results. Steve Pinizzotto (Mississauga, ON/Oakville Blades) (Mississauga, ON) and Darren Doherty (Douro, ON/Cobourg Cougars) (Douro, ON) had chances from in close but Munroe turned the shots aside.
With RIT on the power play Grant Selinger intercepted a pass from Lambert meant for Darren Doherty (Douro, ON/Cobourg Cougars). Selinger sped down the left side past Marc Hyman (Thornhill, ON/Thornhill Rattlers) (Thornhill, ON) and beat Guimond with a nice move, making it 3-0.
RIT came out with more fire in the third period, scoring three goals. Brennan Sarazin (Nepean, ON/Nepean) (Nepean, ON) got RIT on the scoreboard with 18:42 to play. Sarazin took a pass in stride from Lambert and one-timed the puck past Munroe, making it 3-1.
With 14:42 to play in third Lambert slapped home a rebound off a shot from Tony Bifulco (Falmouh, ME/Tulsa Crude) (Falmouth, ME), cutting the Chargers' lead to 3-2.
Less than a minute later Pinizzotto tied the game on a nice effort. Sarazin had the assist on the play as Pinizzotto fought for the rebound and poked the puck home.
Alabama-Huntsville got the game-winner with 12:51 to play when Tyler Hilbert scored on a deflection from Galerno, making it 4-3.
RIT had several chances late in the contest when the Chargers took a penalty. Darrell Draper (Tigard, OR/Cowichon Capitals) (Tigard, OR) had great chance in close but Munroe made the save. The rebound came to Lambert but his shot from in close went wide.
Lambert had another chance as time was running out but again his shot went wide of the net.
These same two teams will play again tomorrow night at 7:05 pm in Huntsville, Alabama.
