Men's Hockey | 12/4/2009 9:30:15 PM

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WORCESTER, MA – The RIT men's hockey team came into tonight's game holding the nation's longest winning streak of eight games along with Quinnipiac. The Tigers were 42 seconds away from running their streak to nine in a row, but Holy Cross tied the game late in the third period as the Tigers tied the Crusaders 1-1 in Atlantic Hockey Association action on Friday night.

The tie moves RIT's record to 8-5-1 overall and 8-2-1 in the AHA. The Tigers are unbeaten in their last nine games, going 8-0-1 in that stretch.

RIT had won the last 10 regular season meetings versus Holy Cross, including all four regular season meetings last year.

There was no scoring after the first period. Holy Cross held a slight edge in shots, out-shooting the Tigers 10-9. RIT went 0-for-1 on the only power play by either team in the first period.

RIT took a 1-0 lead with an even-strength goal at 12:54 of the second. The Tigers worked the puck from behind the net. Brent Alexin (West Seneca, NY/) chopped the puck to Tyler Mazzei (Kelowna, British Columbia/). He centered a pass to freshman, Chris Saracino (St. Louis, MO/Green Bay Gamblers) who was streaking down from his defensive position. Saracino roofed a one-timer over the shoulder of the Holy Cross goaltender for his second tally of the season.

Earlier in the second, RIT had a three-on-one short-handed breakaway. Alexin took the shot from just inside the left face-off circle. Holy Cross' Thomas Tysowsky was in position and made the save, keeping the game scoreless.

Holy Cross tied the score with 42.3 seconds to play in regulation. With the Crusaders on the power play and the extra skater, Brendan Baker fired a pass to Matt Gordon who was parked at the side of the net. Gordon tipped home the one-timer to tie the game at 1-1.

RIT had the only two shots on goal in the overtime. Mike Janda (Glen Ellyn, IL/) and Tyler Mazzei (Kelowna, British Columbia/) each had a shot from the outside for the Tigers.

RIT out shot Holy Cross 25-24 on the night. RIT went scoreless in both their power play chances, while Holy Cross went 1-for-4 with the man-advantage.

Jared DeMichiel (Avon, CT/) made 23 saves in net for RIT, while Tysowsky stopped 24 shots for the Crusaders.

These same two teams will face-off on Saturday, December 5 at 7 pm on the campus of Holy Cross.