Men's Hockey moves past Mercyhurst, 3-2

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – RIT junior defenseman Xavier Lapointe notched what proved to be the game-winning goal and added an assist in the Tigers' 3-2 Atlantic Hockey America (AHA) victory over visiting Mercyhurst, Friday.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• RIT scored at 5:41 of the first after Mercyhurst misplayed a puck in their own zone setting up for a rush. Senior forward Tanner Andrew jumped on the turnover at the blue line and skated a puck through the right faceoff circle and behind the Laker net. Andrew slid a pass to the slot where sophomore defenseman Crossley Stewart tipped a shot over goaltender Carter McPahil's stick to open the scoring.  
• Mercyhurst tied the score at 16:08 after Ryan Coughlin intercepted a pass behind the Tiger goal and fed Mickey Burns in the slot for a shot over the glove of first-year goaltender Ethan David, who was partially screened in front.
• RIT retook the lead with a power play goal at 13:29 of the second after a Mercyhurst tripping penalty. Sophomore forward Matthew Wilde cycled a puck to the top of the right faceoff circle where Lapointe crossed a feed to sophomore forward Tyler Fukakusa at the top of the left faceoff circle for a wrist shot inside the left post.
• Mercyhurst scored with 1:12 left in the period after Mickey Burns chased a puck down behind the Tiger net and threw a puck toward the crease that deflected past David off a skater on the crease.
• RIT scored at 10:53 of the third seconds after a power-play ended. Wilde cycled a short return pass to Lapointe, who whipped a wrist shot from the right faceoff dot inside the left post. 

GAME NOTES

• Fukakusa finished with a goal and an assist for his eighth multi-point game of the season. Notching his eighth goal of the season, he leads the Tigers with 32 points and 24 assists.
• Wilde tied his career high with two assists and now has 28 points on 16 goals and 12 assists this winter.
• Lapointe scored his fifth goal this season and now has a career-high 13 points this season.
• David finished with 29 saves – one short of his career-high – to earn his third win of the season.
• RIT finished with a 32-31 shot advantage, including a game-high six by sophomore forward Christian Catalano.
• RIT ended 1-for-2 on the power play while killing the only Laker extra-man attempt.

 
PLAYOFF UPDATE
Based on AIC's 3-2 win at Army in the night's othe action, RIT is assured of a road playoff game for the AHA Tournament first-round on March 1st against an opponent still to be determined.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
RIT closes the regular season hosting Mercyhurst for a rematch on Saturday (Feb. 22) at 7:05 p.m. Seven Tigers will be honored in a pregame Senior Night ceremony.