RIT Loses Season Opener to Colgate

Courtesy of RIT Sports Information

HAMILTON, NY -- RIT held a one-goal lead late in the third period, but could not hold on as Colgate came back to defeat the Tigers, 6-5 on Saturday night at Starr Rink.

After falling behind 3-0 early in the first period RIT battled back and Matt Crowell's (Kelowna, BC) goal at 2:40 of the third gave RIT a 5-4 lead.

"We got off to a slow start," said RIT Head Coach Wayne Wilson. "I was really happy with how we battled back."

The Raiders tied the game on an unassisted goal from David McIntyre. Brian Day scored the game-winner on a 5-on-3 power play with 6:33 to play in the third.

The Tigers had a bunch of good scoring chances late in the game but Mark Dekanich and the Raiders were equal to the task.

Jesse Winchester gave the Raiders a 1-0 lead on the power play at 2:30 of the first period on the power play.

Jason Williams made it 2-0 Colgate with 7:48 to play in the first on an assist from David McIntyre.

Jason Fredericks made it 3-0 on a nice two-on-one break in. Ethan Cox took the shot. The rebound came right to Fredericks who one-timed past RIT goalkeeper, Louis Menard.

The Tigers got onto the board at 16:01 of the first on a power play goal. Simon Lambert (Ste.-Therese, PQ) took the shot that was saved by Mark Dekanich. The rebound came to Sean Murphy (Owatoona, MN) who jammed it home for his first collegiate goal.

Matt Smith (Toronto, ON) pulled the Tigers to within one goal at 19:27 on an assist from Lambert.

Smith and Jesse Newman (Westbank, BC) each tallied goals for the Tigers in the second. Smith's goal at 13:50 was a power play goal. Dan Ringwald (Oakville, ON) fed Lambert who was parked at the point. He found Smith down low and whipped a pass that Smith one-timed for his second tally of the night.

Jesse Newman poked home a loose puck in front of the net at 15:17, tying the score at 4-4.

RIT will host Bowling Green next Saturday at 7:05 pm at Frank Ritter Arena.