ROCHESTER N.Y. -   The No. 2 seed Niagara men’s hockey saw its quest for an Atlantic Hockey Association (AHA) title cut short after a 2-1 overtime defeat to the No. 3 seed RIT Tigers in the semifinals on Friday evening at Blue Cross Arena. 

"We looked a little tenative in the beginning of the game and RIT is an older and more experienced team in these situations," head coach David Burkholder said.  "I think we clearly lost the first period, the second period was a push and then when they went up 1-0, I think we played our best hockey.  They just had one more shot in overtime than we did." 

Senior Taylor McReynolds notched the game-winning goal 2:57 into overtime, giving RIT (20-12-6; 14-7-6 AHA) the 2-1 victory over Niagara (17-11-9; 14-6-7 AHA).  McReynold's shot from just inside the blue line was initially saved by Niagara netminder Chris Noonan, before it floated behind him into the back of the net. 

Freshman Chris Lochner tallied the game-tying goal at the 14:40 mark of the third period, sending the contest into sudden death overtime.  Lochner picked up the puck at the back of the net and curled around to the stick side Tiger goalie Shane Madolora, before ripping a low shot to make it 1-1.  The goal was Lochner’s 13th of the season and 11th in his last 14 games.   

The first tally of the game came early in the third period, as RIT freshman Matt Garbowsky notched his ninth goal of the year to make it a 1-0 game.  With less than three minutes gone in the final stanza, senior Taylor McReynolds brought down a clear attempt by the Purple Eagles, before dishing a feed to Garbowsky who wristed a laser over the shoulder Noonan.   

"It was a typical RIT, Niagara hockey game," Burkholder added.  "That's how the rivalry has gone since they went Division I and even beyond that when we just started our program and we were playing together in the ECAC West.  It's a great rivalry.  We enjoy being in the league with them." 

Noonan finished the game with 36 stops, including three in overtime. 

Niagara wraps up the 2011-12 season with a 17-11-9 overall record.