Smith Scores Twice In Victory Over RIT

Austin Smith scores the game winner

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (10/10/09) – Austin Smith (Dallas, Texas) netted a pair of goal including the game winner at 7:05 of the final period as Colgate rallied to defeat RIT 3-2 in front of an energetic announced crowd of 7,421 at the Blue Cross Arena, Saturday evening.

The victory over the Tigers gave the Raiders their first victory in regulation since a 1-0 win over then 19th-ranked Dartmouth at Thompson Arena on February 14, 2009. Colgate's streak of eight consecutive overtime games also came to an end with the regulation win.

“Similar to last night, RIT took it to us early,” said Colgate head coach Don Vaughan. “As we got into the game, our legs started to come back. Our big players – Brian Day, Austin Smith, and David McIntyre started to pick it up. However, Alex Evin was the star of the game in my mind. He kept us in the game by making some huge saves.
“What a great event,” continued Vaughan. “The energy in this building was amazing. It's a tribute to Wayne Wilson, his staff and RIT.”

The announced crowd smashed the all-time RIT hockey record for a single game – beating the former mark of 5,142 set two years ago against the Cornell.

With Jason Williams in the box for goalie interference, the Raiders cashed in for its first short handed goal of the season as Smith intercepted an outlet pass right outside the blueline; carried the puck and switched from the back hand to the forehand and beat DeMichiel for his second goal of the evening. Freshman Thomas Larkin (Cocquio Trevisago, Italy) posted his first collegiate point with the lone assist on the sophomore's goal.

The Raiders had to overcome two late penalty calls in the final 40 second and a six on three in the final 17 seconds. Colgate won the face off after the second penalty and Larkin threw the puck down the length of the ice to kill time.

The Raiders grabbed the lead just 22 seconds into the game as Brian Day (Danvers, Mass.) slide a shot by DeMichiel's glove side for his third goal of the weekend. Kurtis Bartliff (Clinton, Ont.) and David McIntyre (Pefferlaw, Ont.) posted assists on the goal. For Bartliff, it was his first collegiate point.

The Tigers answered back at 17:06 as Brent Alexin fed Taylor McReynolds and the sophomore evened the game a 1-1 with a sharp low angle shot that trickled in between the far post and Evin's left pad.

RIT took its first lead of the game at 14:26 of the second period as Stevan Matic brought the puck from behind the next on a wrap around from the left side and beat Evin.

Colgate answered at 11:38 on a transition goal. Smith entered the offensive zone and dropped the puck off to a trailing Francois Brisebois (Montreal, Que.) who sent the shot on net. The puck found Smith on the left side and the sophomore sent it in for his first goal of the year. Nick Prockow (Montreal, Que.) was credited with a secondary assist for initially getting the puck to Smith.

Evin saved 29 shots in the victory, including 14 in the opening period. DeMichiel also saved 29 for the Tigers.

Colgate outshot RIT 32-31 in the victory. The Raiders' power play went 0-4, while the Tigers failed to score on five tries.

Colgate, which improved to 1-0-1, returns to action next weekend as it opens its home slate against Nebraska-Omaha.

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