Men's Hockey | 10/9/2010 10:50:20 PM

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OMAHA, NE – The RIT men's hockey team (0-2-0) allowed three third-period goals, losing to the University of Nebraska-Omaha (2-0-0), 5-3 at the Mutual of Omaha Stampede at the Qwest Center Omaha on Saturday evening.

The Tigers had a 5-on-3 for 1:51 midway through the third and the score tied and failed to capitalize. RIT, ranked 18th in this weeks USCHO Division I poll, lost for the first time since November 16, 2007 versus Mercyhurst when leading after two periods.

Senior tri-captain Andrew Favot (King City, Ontario/) had a goal and an assist and was named to the All-Tournament team. Sophomore Adam Hartley (West Vancouver, British Columbia/Surrey Eagles) was also an All-Tournament team selection.

RIT was the aggressor in the early going, culminating in Favot's first goal of the seaosn. He fired a shot from a short angle that beat Nebraska-Omaha goaltender John Faulkner on the short side. Ben Lynch (Blaine, MN/Lincoln Stars) and Trevor Eckenswiller (Lions Head, Ontario/) had the assists on the play.

The Tiges took a 2-0 lead with 58 seconds remaining in the first period on senior forward Mike Janda (Glen Ellyn, IL/)'s first goal of the season. The Tigers had a good rush up the ice. Junior Mark Cornacchia (Unionville, Ontario/) fed a back-handed pass to Janda who was streaking towards the net, and his shot just snuck under the pads of Faulkner to give RIT a two-goal lead.

Shots were even in the first period 10-10. Freshman goaltender Josh Watson (Lititz, PA/Powell River Kings), making his first career start in net for the Tigers, stopped all 10 shots he faced. RIT killed off the only penalty of the period.

Nebraska-Omaha got on the board at the 7:03 mark of the second when Terry Broadhurst broke in on a rush. The RIT defenseman slipped, allowing Broadhurst a clean shot, beating Watson to cut the RIT lead to 2-1.

UNO tied the score at 2-2 with a power play goal at 13:13 of the second. Matt Ambroz fired a puck that deflected off of Chris Haltigin (Oakville, Ontario/)'s skate and into the net.

RIT re-took the lead at the 16:38 mark of the second period on junior Tyler Brenner (Linwood, Ontario/)'s first goal of the season. Favot drove hard to the net getting behind two Nebraska defenders. He put the puck to his back hand flicking a shot that Faulkner saved. Brenner, who was trailing the play and driving hard to the net, poked home the rebound to give the Tigers the lead.

The Mavericks fired 17 shots on net in the second period. Watson stood tall making 15 stops including seven from close range. The power play goal scored by Nebraska-Omaha was the first power play goal allowed by the Tigers in nine chances this weekend.

Nebraska-Omaha tied the score at 6:54 of the third period on the first of two power play goals in the third. Alex Hudson scored his first goal of the season on assists from Rich Purslow and Eric Olimb.

The Tigers had a chance to take the lead midway through the third with a 5-on-3 power play for a 1:51. RIT had a chance when Adam Hartley (West Vancouver, British Columbia/Surrey Eagles) fired a slap shot from the point. The shot beat Faulkner but banged off the cross-bar and stayed out of the net. The Mavericks went on the kill the remainder of the power play.

Joey Martin gave the Mavericks its first lead of the game at 17:07 of the third with the second power play goal of the period. Purslow added an empty-net goal with 40 seconds remaining to put the game away.

RIT was out-shot 41-26. The Tigers were 0-for-3 on the power play, while Nebraska-Omaha was 3-for-6 with the man advantage.

Freshman Josh Watson (Lititz, PA/Powell River Kings) stopped 36 shots in his first collegiate start. John Faulkner picked up the win making 23 stops for the Mavericks.

RIT returns home to host UMass Lowell next Saturday, October 16 at the Blue Cross Arena as part of Brick City Homecoming and Family Weekend. Face-off at the BCA is 7:05 pm.