ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Despite an early outburst in the first period from the Purple Eagles hockey team, the opposing RIT Tigers stormed back with five unanswered goals in the second period. RIT defeated Niagara 5-2 Saturday night at the Gene Polisseni Center, concluding the season series at 2-1-1 in RIT's favor.
 
TJ Sarcona and Kevin Patterson picked up first-period goals for Niagara (5-21-6, 5-16-5 Atlantic Hockey), while Larry Smith and Brock Edwards added assists. Jackson Teichroeb started in net but was pulled after giving up four goals on 21 shots. Guillaume Therien made six saves on seven shots in relief.
 
Niagara had to weather the storm early in the first period as RIT maintained consistent pressure for the opening five minutes. The Purple Eagles killed off three early penalties as well, which they did while allowing just four power-play shots on goal to the Tigers. Sarcona opened the scoring 13:52 into the game with a wrist shot over the glove of RIT's Nick Amato.
 
After killing its third penalty of the night successfully, Niagara doubled its lead as Brock Edwards forced a turnover just inside the Niagara blue line, quickly creating a two-on-one chance with Kevin Patterson. Patterson's one-time shot past Amato at the 18:03 mark was his third tally of the season and second of the weekend.
 
Niagara sustained the early pressure to kick off the second period, but in a reversal of fortunes from the first, RIT (14-12-6, 14-7-5 Atlantic Hockey) got on a run to take the lead, ending the second with five unanswered goals. Andrew Miller gave the Tigers their first goal 3:17 into the middle stanza before Liam Kerins tied the game on a three-on-two at the 11:54 mark. Just 3:34 after tying the score, Josh Mitchell found Gabe Valenzuela on the power play to make it a 3-2 RIT lead.
 
Valenzuela's second of the game prompted the change from Teichroeb to Therien, but he gave up a goal before the second period was over. Matt Dineen was called for holding inside the final minute, and Erik Brown tipped a point shot past Therien to send Niagara into the second intermission down 5-2.

The Purple Eagles had plenty of chances in the third period, outshooting RIT 11-4 in the final stanza and getting four opportunities on the power play, but the RIT skater stifled any quality scoring chances in front of Amato. Niagara was unable to close the deficit but did not give up any goals to the Tigers either.

The regular season wraps up next weekend throughout Atlantic Hockey. The Air Force Falcons come to Dwyer Arena for a two-game series, with faceoff on both nights set for 7:05 p.m. Tickets are available at the Dwyer Arena ticket office or by phone at (716) 286-TIXX (8499).

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