Up two goals late, RIT held off a desperate third-period assault to defeat the U.S. National Under-18 Team, 4-2, Friday night.
The Tigers built a 2-0 lead in the first period, only to see the U.S. team tie the game midway through the second.
Sophomore Mike Tarantino slid in a rebound off a scramble in front of the U.S. net 1:37 into the third period for the game-winning goal for RIT (10-1).
The U.S. poured the pressure on the RIT net during the second half of the third period, trying desperately to tie the score. But the Tigers were able to withstand the pressure to preserve the win.
End-to-end action characterized the entire game, with both teams loaded with fast skaters. RIT drew first blood with a power-play goal 12:27 into the game on its first man-advantage opportunity. Ryan Fairbarn sent a blast from the point that Sam Hill deflected into the net for the goal.
Roberto Orofiarma tallied RIT’s second goal of the opening period less than three minutes later as he one-timed in a pass from the corner.
The U.S. team answered late in the first period, breaking a 268-minute scoring drought beginning back in November. David Booth chipped the puck over RIT netminder Tyler Euverman from in close for the goal.
The U.S. carried play in the second period, and scored to tie the game at the 9:28 mark. On the power play, Patrick Eaves skated in from the corner and finished a nifty move to slide the puck around Euverman and into the net.
The two teams entered the third period tied 2-2 before Tarantino’s goal gave RIT the lead for good. Hill scored his second goal of the game on a breakaway 8:30 into the period to seal the win.
The U.S. team outshot RIT 14-6 in the third period, with the majority of the U.S. shots coming late in the period in the attempt to come from behind.
