USAFA, Colo. – RIT sophomore forward Matthew Wilde scored the game-winning goal with 26.8 seconds left in regulation in the Tigers' 2-1 Atlantic Hockey American victory at Air Force, Friday.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Air Force scored the lone goal of the first period after Austin Schwartz snapped a wrist shot from the right hash marks under RIT first-year goaltender Jakub Krbecek's glove to finish a two-on-one break at 10:45.
- RIT tied the game with the lone goal of the second. Junior forward Simon Isabelle intercepted a pass behind the Air Force net and sent a puck from behind the left post to senior forward Tanner Andrew on the crease for a goal to knot the game at 4:53.
- The game was scoreless until the final seconds of the third period. Graduate student defenseman Dimitri Mikrogiannakis took control of a puck in the Tiger end and sent an outlet pass to sophomore forward Christian Catalano at the red line. Catalano pushed the puck behind a Falcon defender and around the right-wing boards before putting on the brakes behind the Air Force net and jamming an attempt on goal from behind the right post. Goaltender Guy Blessing made the pad save, but the rebound deflected to Wilde at the top of the crease for a short finish.
GAME NOTES
- Wilde scored his team-leading 12th goal of the season and 21st point this winter.
- Catalano notched his 14th assist – second-most for the Tigers – along with his 19th point.
- Krbecek finished with 34 saves, including 16 in the third period, for his 14th game in 16 starts with at least 30 saves.
- RIT killed all four Air Force power plays and finished 0-for-2 with the extra man.
- RIT blocked 18 shots while 12 Tigers logged at least one block, led by a team-high three by sophomore defenseman Kevin Scott.
WHAT'S NEXT
RIT takes on host Air Force in a rematch on Saturday (Feb. 1) slated for a 7:05 p.m. EST faceoff.