Men's Hockey | 12/4/2010 7:18:19 PM

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WEST SPRINGFIELD, MA - The RIT men's hockey team (6-7-2, 5-3-1 AHA) had its three-game unbeaten streak snapped on Saturday by conference foe American International (4-8-0, 4-8-0 AHA), 6-2 at Olympia Ice Center on Saturday afternoon.

The Tigers out-shot American International, 38-24, but could not win the battle of special teams.  RIT allowed three power-play goals in seven chances, and were limited to just three power-plays, going scoreless.

Chris Haltigin (Oakville, Ontario/), and Cameron Burt (Detroit, MI/) scored for the Tigers, who rolled to a 4-0 win over the Yellowjackets less than 24 hours earlier.  Michael Colavecchia assisted on both goals, while Adam Mitchell (Crofton, MD/Baystate Breakers) also added a helper.

Ben Meisner was tremendous in net for the Yellowjackets, stopping 36-of-38 shots.  Six different players scored for American International.

RIT goaltender Jan Ropponen (Espoo, Finland/) took the loss, allowing five goals and stopping 18 shots in just under 52 minutes of play.  Freshman Josh Watson (Lititz, PA/Powell River Kings) made two saves in seven minutes during the third period.  The Yellowjackets tallied a shorthanded empty netter with just under a minute left in regulation.

American International tallied twice in 50 seconds in the opening period on goals by Michael Penny and Nielsson Arcibal.  Soon after, RIT received a golden chance to get back into the game, as Arcibal was given a five-minute major and game misconduct for spearing.  Moments later, RIT had 1:56 of a two-man advantage.  RIT had a few great chances to score, but could not convert.

Haltigin cut the Yellowjackets lead in half 1:43 into the second period, as Haltigin golfed a shot past Meisner for his second goal of the year.

American International responded minutes later on a power-play, as Adam Pleskach beat Ropponen to make it 3-1.

Burt pushed the Tigers closer, at 3-2 with just 35 seconds left in the period, tallying his second goal of the season.

American International pulled away in the third period however, scoring a power-play, even strength, and shorthanded empty-netter to hand RIT the loss.

The Tigers allowed three power-play goals in a game for the fifth time this season.  They also allowed three third period goals for the third time in 2010-11.

The loss snapped a six-game winning streak for the Tigers against American International.  RIT is now 15-3-1 all-time against the Yellowjackets. 

The Tigers head back out on the road next weekend, as they travel to Mercyhurst to play the Lakers in a two-game series.  Both Friday and Saturday's contests begin at 7:05 p.m.