| 2/11/2006 10:40:06 PM
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HUNTSVILLE, AL -The RIT men's hockey team put up a good fight but were defeated by Alabama-Huntsville, 4-3 this evening in Huntsville, Alabama. RIT held a 2-1 lead in the first period but were unable to hold on as the Tigers fall to 6-21-2 on the season.
RIT came out with a lot more fire in the first period generating some solid scoring chances. Despite the Tigers early aggression Alabama-Huntsville scored the game's first goal.
Bruce Mulherin scored with a wrist shot over Jocelyn Guimond (St.-Edouard-de-Lotbiniere, PQ/Williams Lake)'s (Quebec City, PQ) shoulder with 13:36 to play in the first. Chris Martini and Brett McConnachie had the assists on the play.
RIT tied the score with 11:59 to play in the first on a power play tally by Steve Pinizzotto (Mississauga, ON/Oakville Blades) (Mississauga, ON). Simon Lambert (Ste.-Therese, PQ/Cumberland Grads) (Ste.-Therese, PQ) fed a pass over to Darren Doherty (Douro, ON/Cobourg Cougars) (Douro, ON) who one-timed a pass to Pinizzotto who was streaking towards the net. He was able to get his stick on the puck before he skated past the net, beating Matt Narduzzi for the goal.
The Tigers took a 2-1 lead exactly one minute later on a goal from senior Brian Payant (Anitoch, IL/Fairfield University) (Antioch, IL). Stephen Burns (Newmarket, ON/Newmarket Hurricanes) (Newmarket, ON) cleared the puck out of the zone. Matt Smith (Toronto, ON/Kitchener Dutchmen) (Toronto, ON) fed Payant who beat Narduzzi with a nice shot, netting his first goal of the season.
UAH tied the score on a short-handed tally by Todd Bentley with 7:23 to play in the period.
Late in the period it appeared RIT took the lead back. Brian Payant (Anitoch, IL/Fairfield University) centered a puck that Ricky Walton (Hamilton, ON/Hamilton Red Wings) (Hamilton, ON) one-timed past Narduzzi, however the referee called Payant for a hooking call, taking the goal off the board.
The second period was a physical period as both teams combined for 20 minutes in penalties. RIT went 1-5 with the man advantage and stopped the Chargers on all three of their power plays including a two-man power play.
The Chargers took a 3-2 lead with 13:57 remaining in the second on an even strength goal by Derek Conter.
The Tigers tied the score at the 7:06 on a power play goal by Steve Pinizzotto (Mississauga, ON/Oakville Blades). Darren Doherty (Douro, ON/Cobourg Cougars) ripped a slap shot that Narduzzi saved. The rebound came to Lambert who one-timed a shot that Pinizzotto re-directed home, tying the game at 3-3.
On the ensuing face-off UAH won the draw and drove right in on the Tigers. Grant Selinger beat Guimond seven seconds after RIT had tied the game, re-taking the lead 4-3.
RIT had several chances in the third period but were unable to get the game-tying goal, losing to the Chargers for the fourth time this season.
Jocelyn had an outstanding game, making 41 saves, allowing four goals. Steve Pinizzotto (Mississauga, ON/Oakville Blades) had two goals on the night and three goals and an assist on the weekend.
RIT travels back home to face the Air Force Academy on Monday, February 13 at 7 pm.
