RIT tallied three goals in the first period, and then put in a workmanlike effort to beat Hobart 10-1 in the ECAC West semifinals. The win moves RIT into the championship game, where it will face Elmira, which defeated Manhattanville in the earlier semifinal.
Sam Hill and Jason Chafe each had five-point nights for RIT, with a goal and four assists apiece. Leading 8-1 after two periods, RIT chipped in two more goals in the third to finish the game.
“I think it was good for their confidence,” said RIT coach Wayne Wilson.
“It was good to get our feet wet after the layoff,” said Wilson. “I think with any game you have to be mentally and physically ready for the game.”
RIT (22-2) played a steady first period, taking care of things in its own zone while putting pressure on the Hobart end. The Tigers jumped out to a 1-0 lead 3:47 in. Jerry Galway sent a shot from the point that Josh Faulkner deflected high into the top of the net for the goal.
RIT built the lead to 3-0 by the end of the first. The Tigers’ second goal was similar to their first. Galway sent a shot from the point towards the Hobart net, and this time it was David Bagley who tipped it home at 9:38.
The Tigers’ third goal came at the 14:53 mark, off a scramble in front of the Hobart net that goaltender Adam Lavelle thought that he had frozen. Jason Chafe was credited with the goal.
“We had to have our best game of the year,” said Hobart coach Mark Taylor. “And we didn’t.”
The goals came at a steady pace through the first 19 minutes of the second period for RIT, and then in a flurry of three goals between the two teams in the last minute of play.
Sam Hill scored on RIT’s first power play of the game 6:12 into the second period. Hill tipped in a shot from the point.
RIT’s fifth goal of the game was scored by Michael Tucciarone exactly midway through the contest, the 10:00 mark. Bagley tallied his second goal of the game for RIT at 15:20 for the 6-0 lead.
Tucciarone scored at 19:08, apparently off his skate. That started a flurry of three goals within the last 52 seconds of the second.
Hobart (10-16) got on the board at 19:34. Andy Kasprczak slid the puck past RIT netminder Tyler Euverman off a rebound.
RIT’s Brian Armes tallied again for RIT with only seven seconds remaining in the period to finish the flurry. RIT took an 8-1 lead into the locker room for the second intermission.
