SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – RIT junior goaltender
Tommy Scarfone totaled 43 saves, but it was host AIC coming back for a 3-2 overtime victory in Atlantic Hockey play, Friday.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- RIT opened the scoring early in the first period. Sophomore forward Philippe Jacques scored on a long cross from the right half boards from fifth-year defenseman Gianfranco Cassaro, beating Yellow Jacket goaltender Nils Wallstrom, stick side, from the low slot with 16:29 on the clock.
- AIC answered with a power play goal with 7:56 left in the first after John Lundy finished a rush off a cross from Dustin Manz.
- RIT retook the lead with 8:22 left in the second. Sophomore forward Simon Isabelle cycled a puck from below the right goal line to senior defenseman Aiden Hansen-Bukata for a shot from the point. Junior forward Tanner Andrew redirected the puck in the slot over Wallstrom's shoulder, stick side.
- AIC pulled its goalie with under four minutes to play in regulation and scored the equalizer with 1:20 on the clock. Scarfone saved a shot from the point by Brian Kramer, but the puck trickled under his pads to send the game to overtime.
- Kramer scored the game-winner with 47.9 left in overtime after his shot from the point deflected off a Tiger in front of the crease behind Scarfone into the goal.
GAME NOTES
- RIT lost for the first time in 11 games this season when leading after the second period. The Tigers also hadn't lost when leading after two periods since giving up a 3-2 lead in a 4-3 setback at Union (Oct. 2) last season.
- Scarfone logged his 27th career game with at least 30 saves and fourth with at least 40 saves, including his second in three starts after making a career-high 45 saves in a 4-3 setback to New Hampshire (Nov. 25).
- The Yellow Jackets out-shot the Tigers, 46-21.
- Hansen-Bukata logged his team-leading 10th assist of the season.
- Jacques scored a goal in his second-straight game after notching his first two goals of the season in last Saturday's 4-1 victory over Robert Morris.
- Andrew scored his third goal of the season and 10th point.
- Cassaro added his fourth assist and 11th point of the campaign.
- Isabelle scored his 20th career point.
WHAT'S NEXT
RIT takes on AIC on Saturday (Dec. 9) at 1:00 p.m. in its final game of the semester.