WEST POINT, NY – Myles Powell (Courtenay, British Columbia/Cowichan Valley Capitals) scored two goals 12 seconds apart to set a team record, as the RIT men’s hockey team (3-4-2, 3-0-1 AHC) extended its unbeaten streak to four games by skating to a 2-2 tie at Army West Point (0-5-2, 0-4-2 AHC) from Tate Rink on Saturday evening.
Powell’s goals 12 seconds apart in the first period broke a Division I team record for fastest two goals overall, as RIT scored 13 seconds apart in the NCAA East Regional Championship against New Hampshire on March 26, 2010. He also broke the team record for fastest two goals by one RIT player, snapping teammates Todd Skirving (Thunder Bay, Ontario/Sioux Falls Stampede)’s mark of 25 seconds, set last month at Blue Cross Arena vs. Bowling Green State University.
RIT had to kill off consecutive penalties in overtime, including 13 seconds of a 5-on-3 advantage for Army West Point. RIT goaltender Mike Rotolo (Rochester, NY/Cedar Rapids Roughriders), who was assessed a penalty for roughing right before overtime started, came up big in the extra session, stopping three high-pressure shots. Overall, Rotolo stopped 31 of 33 shots, including several big saves over the final 25 minutes.
RIT ended overtime with a power-play, but could get the winning goal. It was a special teams battle, with RIT going 2-for-8 with the man-advantage, while Army West Point was 2-for-6. RIT out-shot Army West Point, 39-33.
Army goaltender Parker Gahagen was strong as well; making 37 saves on 39 shots. He kept his team in the game all evening, stopping a plethora of point-blank chances. C.J. Reuschlein and Mike Preston scored power-play goals for the Black Knights.
“Tonight was a special teams battle, which we haven’t had this year,” said Wilson. “We got off to a good start, but Army battled back, which we expected. Seemed like a typical RIT-Army game, back and forth. We will take the point tonight, was a pretty gutsy effort.”
RIT took advantage of the man-advantage to lead 2-0 after one period of play, holding a commanding 18-6 edge in shots.
Rotolo was sharp early with a couple of nice glove saves to keep the game scoreless, as Army West Point came out with a head of steam.
Powell would get his first goal on the power-play at the 9:29 mark, coming off the bench for the extra attacker on a delayed penalty call, taking a feed from Amlong and firing a shot from the left circle past Gahagen to the short side for his second goal of the season. Alexander Kuqali (Pittsburgh, PA/Sioux City Musketeers) would also assist on the goal.
Right off the ensuing face-off, 12 seconds later, Powell would jam home a loose puck in the crease past Gahagen to make it 2-0. Golberg won the face-off forward, as Powell would win the race to the puck into the corner and feed Amlong at the right point. Amlong fired a hard shot that bounced off the back boards to Golberg, who chipped a shot that Gahagen stopped, but Powell was able to crash the net and poke the loose puck in.
Golberg now has a five-game point-scoring streak, with nine points on a goal and eight assists during that span.
The Tigers had a golden chance to extend their lead shortly after, as Army was given a five-minute major for contact to the head and had some good chances, but could not convert. Alex Perron-Fontaine (St. Mathieu de Beloeil, Quebec/Chilliwack Chiefs) just missed on a point-blank chance from the slot that Gahagen smothered.
The Black Knights would take advantage of RIT penalties to score a pair of second period power-play goals. Army would scored for the first time on the weekend, 3:22 into the second period on the power-play, as Reuschlein fired a shot from the high slot on the rush that eluded Rotolo to the far post for his first goal of the season.
Dan Schuler (Webster, NY/Powell River Kings) had a very good chance for the Tigers a few moments later on a 2-on-1, scooting down the left side. He tried to fire to the far corner, but Gahagen made a nice glove save.
Just over six minutes into the frame, Conor Andrle looked to have a sure goal with a wide open chance in front, but Rotolo somehow kept the puck out of the net, as a few Black Knights had their arms raised in celebration.
The Black Knights eventually tied the game, once again on the power-play, with 5:02 left in the period, as Preston fired a shot that was deflected by a Tiger defenseman off the blocker of Rotolo, bouncing up in the air and behind the RIT net minder with traffic in front.
Caleb Cameron (Sundridge, Ontario/Listowel Cyclones) had a golden chance in front of the Army West Point in the final minute of the period, but was robbed by Gahagen as he tried to but the backhand to the far side.
Both teams had their chances in the third period, but neither squad could get the winner.
Rotolo had to slide across to make a nice shoulder save on Ryan Nick on a 3-on-1 rush early in the period.
Kuqali took a feed from Kerins and had a golden chance midway through the period and tried to sneak around Gahagen in tight and somehow was stopped by the Army goaltender with the left pad. Moments later, Schuler came in on a partial breakaway and just missed the top corner.
Tonight was the second and final regular season meeting between the two schools. Last night, Rotolo stopped all 25 shots he faced for his fourth career shutout; while Schuler tied a career-high with three points and Brown scored his first collegiate goal in a 4-0 RIT win.
RIT leads the all-time series between the two schools, 15-3-6. RIT is now 14-1-3 against Army West Point dating back to the 2008-09 season.
RIT returns to the friendly confines of the Gene Polisseni Center for a pair of games next weekend, Nov. 13-14 against league foe Bentley University. Both Friday and Saturday’s contests get underway at 7:05 p.m.
“We are excited to get back home and have the backing of our great fans for next weekend’s series against a tough conference opponent in Bentley,” said Wilson.
