ROCHESTER, N.Y. - Facing the RIT Tigers for the first time in eight years and just the second time since 1990, the Merrimack College men's ice hockey program dropped a 4-0 decision to the host Tigers at the Blue Cross Arena on Saturday evening. The decision saw the Warriors fall to 1-4 on the year while RIT improved to 3-1.
The contest was part of RIT's Brick City Weekend - the Tigers' annual Homecoming festivities. The contest was played at the home of the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League (AHL)
The Basics
Score: RIT 4, Merrimack 0
Records: Merrimack (1-4-0) | RIT (3-1)
Location: Blue Cross Arena | Rochester, N.Y.
Attendance: 9,805
Game Duration: 2:13
How It Happened
- Merrimack and RIT were even at nine shots apiece in the opening period, but the host Tigers were able to pot two of their attempts. The first game came nearly 14 minutes into the first, as a RIT forward was able to deke his way into the slot and score. With 90 seconds left, the Tigers added their second when a loose puck trickled in following a scrum in front.
- The Warriors controlled play for most of the second period. Freshmen Mac Welsher and Declan Carlile as well as senior Patrick Kramer all created chances in danger areas, but the three attempts were saved. Freshman Troy Kobryn made a right-pad save on a breakaway to keep RIT off the board, but the Tigers added a third tally with just 2:48 left in the period to build a three-goal edge.
- Merrimack started the third with nearly four straight minutes of power-play time as RIT took a high sticking penalty followed by a slashing that created an abbreviated 5-on-3 opportunity for Merrimack. The Warriors were unable to score, however, and it was the Tigers who added a power-play marker later in the period.
Notes & Numbers
- Saturday's defeat snapped a three-game winning streak for Merrimack against the Tigers. Tonight's contest marked the first meeting between the Warriors and Tigers since 2011 and just the second meeting in 29 years
- Senior Sami Tavernier skated in his 110th career game
- Classmate and fellow captain Tyler Irvine led all players with five shots on the night
- Kobryn finished with 18 saves, suffering his third loss of the year. His counterpart junior Logan Drackett stopped all 28 of Merrimack's shots
- The Warriors outshot the Tigers, 28-22
Merrimack Lineup
Forwards
L. Drevitch | Kramer | Tavernier
Walsh | Seyfert | Esselin
Cassetti | T. Drevitch | Jeszka
Welsher | Irvine | Kimens
Defense
Dockery | Modry
Vinnell | Dennison
Carlile | Uens
Heidt
Goaltenders
Kobryn | Huhtamaa | Corcoran
Up Next
Merrimack plays in its first Hockey East contest of the season on Friday evening when the Warriors welcome the University of New Hampshire to Lawler Rink for a 7 p.m. puck drop.
