Prior to tonight’s game, both the St. Norbert and RIT coaches expressed a desire to play more five-on-five hockey than they did in Friday’s game, but it wasn’t to be. A steady and rapid pace of players paraded to the penalty box throughout the contest and special teams were the
difference as St. Norbert skated away with a 4-2 victory.
The Green Knights scored two goals on six power plays, and the Tigers only tallied once on eight advantages.
By midway through the third period, St. Norbert had built a 3-1 lead and went back on the power play. Tiger netminder George Eliopoulos made a save on a shot from the top of the faceoff dot by Michael Buchan. However, the puck sat loose between the goalies pads and Faron Duthie was there to pike the puck into the net for the goal.
RIT scored a goal late in the third period, by Michael Tucciarone off abouncing puck, but it was too little, too late for the Tigers.
The game was really decided in the second period. The parade of players to the penalty box that began in the opening stanza continued during the second period. Eight penalties were called in each frame.
The Green Knights were the only team able to take advantage of the extra skater in the second period. Jason Deitsch scored his second goal of the game 4:14 into the second period. Deitsch collected the puck just below the goal line and slid it home from a very tight angle.
The advantage for the remainder of the period swayed back and forth, depending on which team was skating with the power play. Each had opportunities, but neither team could take advantage. When they played at even strength, St. Norbert carried play both territorially and on the scoreboard.
For the second night in a row, the Green Knights scored in the opening minutes of the game. At 1:51, Troy Boisjoli collected a loose puck near the RIT blueline and blasted it over Eliopoulus’ shoulder for a 1-0 lead.
RIT thought it had tied the game at the 8:33 mark of the first period. The goal, however, was waved off because the net was off its moorings.
The Green Knights kept the pressure high and built their lead to 2-0 at 10:16. Spencer Carbery, alone behind the RIT net, slid a pass to Jason Deitsch in the slot. Deitsch one-timed the puck past Eliopoulus and the Knights had their first two goal lead of the weekend series.
The only damper on St. Norbert in the first period was penalty trouble. Six Green Knights paraded to the box and the Tigers finally took advantage of a five-on-three to get on the scoreboard. Brad Harris tipped in a shot from the top of the slot by Darren Doherty at 14:22 to narrow the margin to 2-1
