For the second straight game, RIT used an outburst of goals in the second period to take control of a game, scoring three times on the way to defeating Cortland, 9-4.
With an assist in the third period on RIT’s seventh goal, senior Mike Bournazakis set the RIT all-time career mark with 137.
“It is an honor to play with such great players the last four years,” said Bournazakis. “I have to thank my teammates for this.”
Cortland scored a goal just 34 seconds into the second period to make it 1-1. Shawn Jensen caught a clearing pass by Tiger Roberto Orofiamma as it fluttered towards the blue line. Jensen dropped the puck on his stick and rifled the puck past RIT netminder David Wrisley for the score.
RIT continued to carry play, however, and retook the lead less than three minutes later. Matt Moore took a slapshot from the point, which Brent Macovi deflected down and in. RIT never looked back.
The Tigers tallied two goals, separated by 16 seconds, late in the period to gain the commanding 4-1 lead. Michael Tucciarone scored a power-play goal at the 15:27 mark, off a nice series of passing plays deep in the Red Dragons’ zone.
At 15:43, Craig Hupp scored again for RIT with a wrist shot that beat Cortland goaltender John Larnerd.
The first period was listless, interrupted by many “man in the crease” whistles. Play eventually developed some rhythm as the period went on.
“This was a tough game to play on a Tuesday night after an emotional victory on Saturday,” said RIT coach Wayne Wilson. “The sound system was working, the light show was working, but there were crickets in the stands.”
The Tigers took the lead into the first intermission with a late power-play goal. Tucciarone sent a slapshot from the point on net that Larnerd saved, but Sam Hill collected the rebound at the bottom of the left faceoff circle, and roofed the puck from a tight angle.
The scoring onslaught continued in the third period, as the teams combined for eight goals. Jared Conlon and Mike Tarantino scored in the first 4:31 of the period for RIT, before Cortland changed goaltenders. Mark Paine entered the net for the Red Dragons and Tiger Orofiama greeted him rudely with a goal 17 seconds later.
Cortland gained some offense midway through the period and scored two goals in a minute-plus span on special teams. Kevin Water wristed a backhander over Wrisley’s shoulder for a power-play tally at 8:36, and teammate Mike Schall did the same thing less than two minutes later, this time skating four-on-four.
The Cortland late charge was ended by RIT, as the Tigers scored a pair of four-on-four goals to re-establish their commanding lead. A goal by Cortland’s Dave Ambuhl with 10 seconds remaining in the game brought the third period to a timely close.
