The Rochester Institute of Technology Tigers (1-1-0) earned their first win at the Division I level with a 5-2 victory over the Air Force Falcons (1-3-0, 0-0-0 CHA) in the consolation game of the Quinnipiac Cup at the Northford Ice Pavilion on Saturday night.
Air Force got on the board in the first period on a goal by Mike Knaeble, his first of the season, shorthanded. An RIT defenseman lost possession of the puck in the zone and Knaeble picked up the puck and backhanded it home past RIT net minder Jocelyn Guimond.
RIT tied the score at one at 4:24 of the second on a Bobby Raymond power-play goal. Tristan Fairbarn sent a puck behind the net that was picked up by Brent Patry. He sent the puck to Raymond, who blasted it past Falcons goaltender Ian Harper.
“The guys were more determined and came out with more grit tonight,” said RIT head coach Wayne Wilson.
Air Force took the lead back a little over four minutes later, this time by Jay Mendenwaldt. Brooks Turnquist and Matt Charbonneau assisted on the tally.
RIT tied it up for the second time in the period on its second power-play goal, this time by Simon Lambert. Matt Smith cycled the puck to Marc Hyman, who shot and was stopped by Harper, but Lambert picked up the rebound and put it in the back of the net.
RIT took its first lead of the season on the third power-play goal, a little over five minutes in. Lambert had the initial shot from the point, and Brent Patry recorded his second goal of the year when he chipped home a rebound past Harper. Jesse Newman also assisted.
The Tigers added two empty-net goals by Lambert and Darren Doherty to seal the victory.
“Were going to have to continue to learn and learn as the year goes on,” said Wilson.
Guimond made 25 saves in net for the win, while his counterpart Harper made 23 in the loss. Air Force was 0-for-13 on the power play while RIT was 3-for-12, which proved to be a difference.
RIT returns to action next weekend when it plays a home-and-home with Canisius, while Air Force faces Denver.
