Men's Hockey | 10/17/2008 10:46:14 PM

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ROCHESTER, NY – The RIT (1-2-0) men's hockey team allowed four second-period goals en route to a 6-4 loss to #14 Clarkson University (1-0-0) in front of a sold out crowd at Ritter Arena on Friday evening.

"I was very happy with our play overall," said RIT Head Coach Wayne WIlson. "However, we have a lot of growing up to do in protectiing leads."

RIT got off to a fast start, tallying two first-period goals. Tyler Brenner (Linwood, Ontario/Elmira Sugar Kings) (Linwood, ON) gave RIT a 1-0 lead at 4:02 of the first. He took a feed from Cameron Burt (Detroit, Mich./Green Bay Gamblers) (Detroit, MI) in the right slot and fired a shot up over Paul Karpowich's shoulder for his second tally of the season.

Jesse Newman (Kelowna, British Columbia/Trail Smokeeaters) (Kelowna, BC) made it 2-0 at 15:43 of the first on a 2-on-1 break by the Tigers. Dan Ringwald (Oakville, Ontario/Oakville Blades) (Oakville, ON) started the play in RIT's zone firing a cross-ice feed to Scott Knowles (Riverside, Ontario/Surrey Eagles) (Riverside, ON). Knowles sped up the left side and he and Newman broke in 2-on-1. Knowles faked the shot, holding the defender, feeding Newman who gathered the puck and roofed a shot into the top-left corner.

The Knights best chance came when Chris D'Alvise found himself in front of the net but his shot hit off the crossbar and out of danger. The Knights fired seven shots in the opening period to RIT's 10.

Clarkson answered right back with four goals in the second period, leading 4-3 after two. D'Alvise had two goals and an assist in the period to lead the Knight's comeback.

D'Alvise made it 2-1 at 4:42 of the second period with the assist going to Phil Paquet and Brandon DeFazio. He took the pass and made a nifty move on Menard for his first goal of the night.

D'Alvise tied the game at 9:37 of the second on an unassisted goal. He intercepted a breakout attempt by the Tigers and deeked Menard with Dan Ringwald (Oakville, Ontario/Oakville Blades) on him for his second tally of the evening.

Stevan Matic (Burnaby, British Columbia/Langley Hornets) (Burnaby, BC) answered right back for RIT giving the Tigers a 3-2 lead. He took a pass from Brent Alexin (West Seneca, N.Y./Buffalo Jr. Sabres) (West Seneca, NY) and one-timed a shot past Karpowich from right in front.

The Knights scored two goals late in the second to take a 4-3 lead. Matt Beca tied the score at 3's at 11:52 of the second and Lauri Tuohimaa gave Clarkson there first lead of the game at 16:07 on assists from Brandon DeFazio and Scott Freeman.

Clarkson took a 5-3 lead at 10:57 of the third period on Tim Marks first goal of the season. Scott Freeman capitalized on a turnover by the Tigers and fed Marks who had a clear alley to the goal, beating Menard.

Jesse Newman (Kelowna, British Columbia/Trail Smokeeaters) pulled the Tigers to within a goal at 13:17 of the third on a tip-in goal. Justin Hofstetter (Bright, Ontario/Cambridge Winterhawks) (Bright, ON) fired a shot from the right point. #Tyler Mazzei (Kelowna, British Columbia/Nanaimo Clippers)# (Kelowna, BC) had the initial tip and Newman jammed it home for his second tally of the night.

The Tigers had chances inside the last minute of play with the extra skater but another turnover by RIT in their own zone led to an empty-net goal by Chris D'Alvise, putting the game away.

"We controlled play in the second and third periods," said Wilson. "We gave them too many chances and they took advantage of their opportunities."

RIT outshot the Knights 39-25 but allowed a short-handed goal and an empty-net goal. Louis Menard (Chicoutimi, Quebec/Ottawa Senators) (Chicoutimi, PQ) got the start for RIT, taking the loss. He allowed five goals and made 19 saves.

Paul Karpowich got the win for Clarkson, making 35 saves. Its his first collegiate win.

The Tigers are back in action on Saturday, as they host St. Lawrence University at Blue Cross Arena. Get there early, as the first 3,000 fans receive a free RIT Hockey t-shirt sponsored by RIT Sports Zone and Dr. James Watters, Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration at RIT. Opening face-off is at 7:05 p.m.