ROCHESTER, NY – Erik Brown (Keene, Ontario/Kemptville 73's) scored both goals, while Ian Andriano (Barrie, Ontario/Ottawa Jr. Senators) picked up his first collegiate win and shutout, as the RIT men's hockey team (9-12-2, 8-8-1 AHA) defeated Atlantic Hockey rival Canisius College (12-10-2, 12-6-0 AHA) 2-0 in front of 2,471 fans at the Gene Polisseni Center Saturday evening.

For the second straight weekend, RIT set a Division I program record for fewest shots allowed with 12. Despite facing only 12 shots on net, Andriano was tested, having to make a handful of key saves. He preserved the shutout with a big save on Dylan McLaughlin early in the third period and then on Jesse Pereira from the slot with just under seven minutes left. Andriano was named the game's first star.

Brown's goals, coming in the first and second periods, give him 16 in 23 games this year, tying his career-high set in 37 games last season. Named the second star, Brown is now tied for fifth nationally in goals.

Senior defenseman Matt Abt (Leduc, Alberta/Whitecourt Wolverines) drew the primary assist on both of Brown's goals and was plus-2 to be named the third star.

Daniel Urbani made 31 saves in the loss for the Golden Griffins.

RIT out-shot Canisius, 33-12. The Golden Griffins were 0-for-4 on the power-play, while RIT was 0-for-3.

"We were very strong tonight and did a good job limiting (Canisius') chances," said RIT head coach Wayne Wilson. "Our penalty-killing was good when it needed to be and overall it was a gritty effort."

The Tigers came out flying in the opening period, out-shooting Canisius 13-4, while grabbing a 1-0 lead.

RIT opened the scoring at the 9:55 mark of the opening period, right after a power-play ended, as Brown was in the right place to jump on a rebound after a shot by Abt was blocked and hammer a shot past Urbani for his team-leading 15th goal of the season. Myles Powell (Courtenay, British Columbia/Cowichan Valley Capitals) also assisted on the goal.

The Tigers just missed taking the lead a minute earlier, on the power-play, as Chase Norrish (Strongfield, Saskatchewan/Yorkton Terriers) ripped a one-timer from the left point past Urbani but off the right post and out.

Andriano had to make two key saves late in the period, both from in tight on Nick Hutchison and Matt Hoover.

The Tigers added to their lead just 30 seconds into the second period, as Brown was left all alone at the right side of the net to collect a rebound off a shot by Abt and flip the puck over a fallen Urbani for his second of the night and career-high tying 16th goal of the season to make it 2-0 Tigers. Gabe Valenzuela (Brampton, Ontario/North York Rangers) also drew an assist on the goal.

Andriano made a key save on Matt Long on a rush two minutes later to keep it 2-0, RIT's defense did a tremendous job, blocking seven Canisius shots as Andriano was called upon to make just three saves in the period, as RIT held a commanding 26-7 edge in shots after 40 minutes of play.

RIT continued its stifling defensive effort in the third period, limiting the Golden Griffins to just five shots on goal. Canisius pulled Urbani for a sixth attacker on a power-play, giving them a 6-on-4 for the final 2:29, but RIT's penalty killing did a great job limiting any quality chances en route to blocking 13 shots overall.

RIT leads the all-time series, 61-24-2, including a 22-15-1 edge since the Tigers moved to Division I in 2005. Last night, Ryan Schmelzer scored in overtime to lift Canisius to a 5-4 win over the Tigers at the Polisseni Center. Brown had a goal and an assist to lead the Tigers.

RIT is right back in action next weekend, Jan. 26-27 at Atlantic Hockey foe Holy Cross. Both games get underway at 7:05 p.m.