ROCHESTER, NY – Senior forward Matt Garbowsky (St. George, Ontario/Powell River Kings) scored his Division I best 14th goal, as the RIT men's hockey team (5-8-3, 4-5-3 AHC) skated to a 1-1 tie at Niagara University (3-12-1, 3-8-1 AHC) from Dwyer Arena on Saturday evening to close out the 2014 calendar year.
 
RIT senior goaltender Jordan Ruby (Tavistock, Ontario/Wellington Dukes) made 30 saves in the tie, while Jackson Teichroeb stopped 34 shots for Niagara. Both goaltenders made several big saves throughout the evening.

Ruby is now 4-3-3 this season with a microscopic 1.87 goals against average and .930 save percentage this season. He has allowed just five goals over his last five games, with a 3-1-1 mark, 0.99 goals against average and .960 save percentage during that span.
 
The Tigers out-shot the Purple Eagles 35-31. RIT was 1-for-5 with the man advantage, while Niagara was 0-for-6. RIT killed off all 14 Niagara power-play attempts over the weekend and 31 straight power-plays overall dating back to Nov. 14 at Canisius. RIT's penalty-killing unit has killed of 89.9 percent of its opponents power-plays this season, sixth best nationally.
 
"I thought we needed to be sharper tonight," said RIT head coach Wayne Wilson. "We worked hard and created opportunities but we didn't execute with the puck. I think both teams played hard and I am happy with the three points on the weekend."
 
The two teams scored within 49 seconds of each other late in the first period, but did not score the rest of the way. The Tigers and Purple Eagles went into the first intermission tied at one apiece. The two teams were also deadlocked at 12 shots each, while RIT was 1-of-1 on the man advantage and Niagara 0-of-2.
 
Garbowsky scored at the 14:17 mark to put the Tigers on the board during RIT's power-play. Brad McGowen moved the puck to Dan Schuler (Webster, NY/Powell River Kings) on the circle, who crossed it to Gabowsky on the right side. Garbowsky had his first shot stopped by Teichroeb, but the senior was able to jam home his own rebound for his 14th goal of the season, leading all of Division I.
 
Just 49 seconds later, the Purple Eagles flew down the ice and Phillip Nasca put in the tying goal from Derian Plouffe and Chris Lochner. RIT tried to argue that there was a hand pass on the play and Ruby was interfered with, but no review was granted by the officials.
 
With 1:45 left in the period, the Tigers created a 2-on-1 as the puck was centered from behind goal line to Danny Smith (Edmonton, Alberta/Sherwood Park Crusaders) in front but Teichroeb was able to make the stop.  
 
Neither team scored in the second stanza, as RIT took an 11-7 advantage in shots, while going 0-for-4 in the man advantage.
 
RIT had a few chances late in the period; Greg Amlong (O'Fallon, MO/UMass Lowell) blasted a shot from the blue line to cause a scramble in front with two Tigers waiting. RIT was not able to get a good handle on the puck before Teichroeb covered it up. With four minutes remaining, Mark Golberg (Ottawa, Ontario/Cumberland Grads) crossed the puck to Garrett McMullen (Churchville, NY/Trail Smoke Eaters) but was not able to get a shot off. The best opportunity came with 1:42 left Brady Norrish (Strongfield, Saskatchewan/Yorkton Terriers) blasted a shot from the top that was rebounded out to McGowan on the right side. McGowan ripped a shot past Teichroeb, but hit the crossbar.
 
The Tigers came out firing in the third, creating several chances. Danny Smith (Edmonton, Alberta/Sherwood Park Crusaders) dished the puck from behind to Andrew Miller (Chicago, IL/Chicago Steel) flying up the ice on a break, but he could not score. Those two connected twice throughout the period but were not able to execute.
 
RIT outshot Niagara 5-1 in overtime with three solid opportunities that Teichroeb stopped, including one on Chase Norrish (Strongfield, Saskatchewan/Yorkton Terriers) on a one-timer from the high slot.
 
"We are going to take the positives from tonight and move on," said Wilson. "Winter break is coming at the perfect time and we are going to enjoy it and get healthy."
 
Niagara leads the all-time series between the two schools, 14-4-10. Last night, RIT scored three second period goals to beat the Purple Eagles 4-1 from the Gene Polisseni Center. Garbowsky tallied two goals and an assist, while Ruby made 24 saves.
 
The two teams will face off again on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 6-7, with a home-and-home series. The first game will be at Dwyer Arena, with the Saturday contest at the Gene Polisseni Center.
 
The Tigers return to action on Jan. 2-3, 2015 at the University of Minnesota for the Mariucci Classic. The Tigers will play nationally-ranked UMass Lowell on Jan. 2 and either Minnesota or Merrimack on Jan. 3.