Men's Hockey | 10/2/2010 1:59:36 PM

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ROCHESTER, NY – The RIT men's hockey team opened up the 2010-11 season by defeating Wilfrid Laurier (Ontario) 3-1 in an exhibition contest in front of 1,374 fans at Ritter Arena on Saturday afternoon.

Chris Haltigin (Oakville, Ontario/), Jeff Smith (Spokane, WA/Tri-City Storm), and Adam Hartley (West Vancouver, British Columbia/Surrey Eagles) scored for RIT.  The Tigers scored on the power-play, shorthanded, and with the extra attacker.

RIT, which advanced to the NCAA Frozen Four last season, is receiving votes in the first 2010-11 USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine national poll.  The Tigers out-shot Wilfrid Laurier 47-22, including 34-12 over the final two periods. 

Senior Jan Ropponen (Espoo, Finland/) started for RIT and played very well, stopping 15 of 16 shots. He made a handful of excellent saves, especially in the first period.  He was named the game's third star.  Josh Watson (Lititz, PA/Powell River Kings) replaced Ropponen midway through the second period and made six saves to earn the win.

Benjamin Skinner scored Wilfrid Laurier's goal.  Goaltender Ryan Daniels was excellent in net, stopping 44 shots.  He was named the game's second star.

RIT Head Coach Wayne Wilson though today's game was a good test for the Tigers, as they prepare to defend their 2010 Atlantic Hockey Association Championship.

"It was not a bad start for us, as they (Wilfrid Laurier) gave us a good test," said Wilson, now entering his 12th season at RIT.  "We've got a ways to go and we know that.  We were kind of sloppy at times, but we expected that.  We have to be much quicker next weekend.  I thought Jani (Ropponen) played very well for us."

Both teams had excellent chances in a scoreless first period.  Ropponen had to come big a few times, especially on a tip attempt by Laurier's Colin Williams.

Michael Colavecchia and Bryan Potts (Niagara Falls, Ontario/Markham Waxers) nearly converted a 2-on-1 rush late in the period, while Adam Mitchell (Crofton, MD/Baystate Breakers) had a point-blank attempt stuffed by Daniels.
 
RIT opened the scoring 6:24 into the second period on a 4-on-3 power-play goal by Haltigin. He took a feed from Andrew Favot (King City, Ontario/) at the point and drilled a slap-shot over the shoulder of Daniels. Cameron Burt (Detroit, MI/) also assisted on the goal.

Wilfrid Laurier answered right back, 36 seconds later, as Skinner tucked in a feed from in close from Alexander Poulter past Ropponen for the goal.

Smith gave RIT is lead back with 3:47 left in the second period, shorthanded, as he blocked a shot at his own blue-line and raced in all alone on Daniels. Smith wired a wrist shot just under the crossbar for what would turn out to be the game-winning goal.  Smith was named the game's first star.

Hartley added the insurance goal for the Tigers 11:19 into the final period, with Watson pulled for an extra attacker due to a delayed penalty on Wilfrid Laurier.  Chris Saracino (St. Louis, MO/Green Bay Gamblers) grabbed a loose puck inside the zone and fed Scott Knowles (Riverside, Ontario/), who fired a slap shot that defelected off Sean Murphy (Owatonna, MN/) over the net.  The puck caromed off the back glass to Hartley, who was able to tuck the puck past Daniels at the side of the goal.

The all-time series between the two schools is knotted at 3-3.  It was the first meeting between the two schools since the 2001-02 season.

RIT opens the regular season on Friday, October 8 against No. 6 St. Cloud State at the Mutual of Omaha Stampede at 5:37 p.m.