The RIT Tigers (1-0) used a strong power play and powerful goaltending to defeat the Brockport Golden Eagles (0-1) by a score of 7-0 in the opening round of the Chase Rochester Cup.
The Tigers managed to go 4-for-5 on the power play, and netminder Tyler Euverman stopped all 29 shots that he faced in the win. Even so, RIT coach Wayne Wilson was not all smiles.
“Twenty-nine shots is too many for where we want to be,” said Wilson. “We want to be down in the 20 shots against range, and need to play better defense to achieve that.”
RIT took control of the game by dominating the first period, outshooting Brockport 14-3 for the period. But the Tigers were only able to score on the power play, notching two extra-man tallies during the period.
Senior captain Jerry Galway was the first Tiger to get on the board 8:19 in to the period, scoring on a big blast from the point. Fellow defenseman Matt Moore chipped in a goal while pinching in at 11:28 to give the Tigers the early lead.
Brockport played a strong second period, outshooting RIT 16-9. But the Golden Eagles were not able to solve Euverman during the burst, nor for the entire game.
RIT added to the lead in the second period, however, with a pair of even-strength goals. Sam Hill finished off a 3-on-1 break at the 4:50 mark, and transfer David Bagley slapped in a goal at 12:36 for a 4-0 Tiger lead.
“Bagley has been a pleasant surprise,” said Wilson. “We knew he could score, but to have eight points in two games this season is beyond what we expected.”
RIT continued to romp in the third period, adding three more goals. Hill completed his first hat trick as a Tiger by adding two goals in the third period, and Galway chipped in his second of the night.
With the win, RIT will face league foe Hobart in the championship game of the tournament. Brockport also draws a league foe, Geneseo, in the consolation game.
