RIT senior forward Nick Bruce (Fall River, Nova Scotia/Johnstown Tomahawks) scored the go-ahead goal with 12:08 left in regulation to lift the Tigers to a 4-3 victory over visiting Robert Morris, Sunday afternoon.
RIT completed the weekend sweep over the Colonials, which were ranked 19th in this week’s USCHO.com national poll, after also picking up a 6-1 victory on Saturday.
HOW IT HAPPENED
RIT opened the scoring with 16:12 left in the first period after sophomore forward Elijah Gonsalves (Scarborough, Ontario) scored a power-play goal off a cross-ice feed from junior forward Will Calverley (Scarborough, Ontario).
Robert Morris got on the board with its own power play goal with 2:46 left in the first after senior forward Nick Prkusic tipped home a shot from the left point by senior defenseman Nick Jenny on the Tiger crease.
The Tigers re-took the lead with 11:03 left in the second period after junior forward Kobe Walked re-directed a shot from the point by senior defenseman Dan Willett (Bayville, N.Y.) into the Colonial net.
Robert Morris re-took a 3-2 lead with two goals in a 48-second span. Grant Hebert took advantage of a turnover behind the Tiger cage and jammed a shot inside the right post with 7:36 on the clock before another Tiger turnover led to a 3-on-1 Colonial break finished by freshman forward Randy Hernandez at 6:48.
RIT re-tied the game with 13:02 left in the third period after sophomore defenseman Ryan Nicholson (Mississauga, Ontario)scored on a left-point shot through a crowd in front of the RMU goal.
The Tigers scored the game-winning goal 54 seconds later after Walker beat to Robert Morris defenders to a loose puck at the top of the zone and send a pass to Calverley on the left wing. Calverley slipped a pass in front of the crease to Bruce in front of the right post for the deciding tally.
GAME NOTES
RIT senior goalie Ian Andriano (Barrie, Ontario/Ottawa Jr. Senators) totaled 29 saves for his second-straight victory as RMU finished the game with a 32-27 shot advantage.
RIT entered the game 0-6-1 this season when trailing after two periods of play.
Bruce was also credited with an assist on Walker’s goal for his 40th career point. He has totaled 10 goals and 30 assists during his Tiger career.
Senior forward Jake Hamacher (Corona, Calif.) logged his 50th career assist on the opening goal of the game.
RIT avenged a pair of road losses at Robert Morris, 3-1 and 4-3 on Jan. 2-3 earlier this season.
WHAT’S NEXT
RIT hosts Niagara on Wednesday (Feb. 24) at 5:05 p.m. in its final home game of the regular season.
GAME HIGHLIGHTS:
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].