Men's Hockey | 10/10/2009 11:10:09 PM

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ROCHESTER, NY – Austin Smith's shorthanded goal, his second of the game with 12:55 remaining in regulation, broke a 2-2 tie, and lifted Colgate (1-0-1) to a 3-2 win over the RIT men's hockey team (0-1-0) before a record crowd of 7,421 fans at Blue Cross Arena on Saturday. The season-opening contest was the focal point of RIT's Brick City Homecoming and Family Weekend.

Smith picked up a loose puck in the neutral zone, as the RIT defense were making a line change. Smith came in, went to the backhand, and lifted the puck over a sprawling Jared DeMichiel (Avon, CT/), who tried to poke the puck away.

The Tigers had several great chances throughout the final 10 minutes, and ended the game with a 6-on-3 power-play, but could not get the tying goal past goaltender Alex Evin.

RIT's best chance came with two minutes left, when Jeff Smith (Spokane, WA/Tri-City Storm) poked a loose puck to Andrew Favot (King City, Ontario/) in the slot, creating a 2-on-1. Favot immediately fed the puck cross-ice to Adam Hartley (West Vancouver, British Columbia/Surrey Eagles), who had what looked to be a wide open side. Hartley's shot rang off the right post and into the crease, where Evin covered the puck.

Evin made 29 saves for Colgate. DeMichiel made 29 saves for the Tigers, including several on a Colgate power-play late in the third period to keep the game at 3-2. Colgate out-shot RIT 32-31 overall, and 16-7 in the third period.

Taylor McReynolds (Sherwood Park, Alberta/) and Stevan Matic (Burnaby, British Columbia/) scored for the Tigers, who have yet to win a season opener at the Division I level.

Smith tied the game at 2-2 midway through the second period. He crashed the net and was rewarded, as he slammed in a loose puck from the slot after Francois Brisebois shot was blocked. Nick Prockow also assisted on the goal.

The Raiders seemed to gain the momentum from there, carrying the play for the final half of the period. DeMichiel had to come up big a few times for RIT, keeping the score tied at 2.

RIT Head Coach Wayne Wilson was denied of his 189th career win, which would set the program record for coaching victories. Nevertheless, he was happy with his team's effort.

“I thought Colgate played a safe game in the third period,” said Wilson. “I thought we had our chances, but we let them slip through our fingers.”

RIT found itself down 1-0 just 22 seconds in, as Brian Day scored his third goal in two games, jamming in a loose puck off a 2-on-1 break. David McInytre carried the puck past a Tiger defenseman at the blue-line and threw a pass towards the net was blocked. The puck skittered right to Day, who was crashing the net, and slid the loose puck into the open net.

The Tigers came right back however, tying the game at the 2:54 mark, as McReynolds roofed a shot from a tough angle on the right side between Evin and the post. Brent Alexin (West Seneca, NY/) stole a clearing pass at the blue-line and found McReynolds in close.

From there, RIT dominated the rest of the period, using a strong forecheck to cause several Colgate turnovers and create quality scoring chances. RIT held a 15-5 advantage in shots. Evin was up to the task however, turning aside everything else RIT threw at him in the period.

RIT began play in the second period just as they did in the first, pounding the Colgate net. Evin made a magnificent save on Tyler Mazzei (Kelowna, British Columbia/) in front of the net just 30 seconds in.

The Tigers were rewarded at the 5:34 mark, as Matic beat Evin on a wraparound. Matic won the face-off back to Chris Saracino (St. Louis, MO/Green Bay Gamblers), who fed Chris Haltigin (Oakville, Ontario/) at the right point. Haltigin wristed a shot off the back boards the Matic corralled. Matic went around the net, circled back and banked the wraparound off of Evin for the tally. The assist to Saracino was his first collegiate point.

Colgate out-shot RIT 11-9 in the period. RIT held a 24-16 edge after 40 minutes of play.

The crowd of 7,421 easily eclipsed the previous RIT record of 5,124 fans, set at Blue Cross Arena on Oct. 27, 2007 vs. Cornell. It is also a record for a home game involving an Atlantic Hockey Association team.

“I couldn't be prouder than to be a part of Brick City Homecoming and Family Weekend,” said Wilson. “It's great to see how far we've come in a short time.”

Colgate had played in eight straight overtime games, dating back to Feb. 14, 2009.

The Raiders improve to 7-1-0 all-time against RIT, and 2-0 since 2005.

RIT is back in action on Friday and Saturday, as they travel to Northern New York to play ECAC foes St. Lawrence and Clarkson.  Friday's game is at 7 p.m., while Saturday's is at 7:30 p.m.