RIT's Brent Macovi (#9) leaps in cele- bration over a dejected Manhattanville player, shortly after teammate Ryan Franke scored the game-winning goal to send the Tigers to the ECAC West Championship game. (Photo by k. colton/SportsPics.net)

March 5, 2004

GENEVA, N.Y.—Senior Mike Tarantino (Oakville, Ontario) notched a goal and a pair of assists to lead second-seeded RIT to a 4-2 victory over third-seeded Manhattanville College in the first ECAC West Hockey Tournament semifinal game at the Geneva Recreation Complex. The win pushes the Tigers into the conference title game for the 11th consecutive year.

The Valiants (15-5-2) got things started early, tallying a goal just 49 seconds into the game. First-year B.J. Greaves (Nipigon, Ontario) found a wide-open Scott Goheen (Innisfil, Ontario) in front of the net for the 1-0 lead. Just as it has been all season between the two teams—both regular season contests ended as ties—RIT (13-6-5) answered five minutes later when junior Brian Payant (Antioch, Ill.) rocketed a shot over the right shoulder of the Manhattanville goaltender.

The Valiants regained the lead again at the 12:07 mark as Goheen beat his defender with a nifty move and found junior Brad Olson (Calgary, Alberta) on the left wing for the Manhattanville’s second goal of the period.

Three minutes later Manhattanville was whistled for a pair of penalties resulting in a 5-on-3 power-play opportunity for the Tigers. It took less than a minute for RIT to capitalize, getting an extra-man goal from senior Ryan Fairbarn (Innisfil, Ontario).

After a wild first stanza, the two teams focused on their defense in the second frame, allowing just 12 shots combined. The defensive battle continued throughout much of the third period until senior defenseman Ryan Francke (Long Point, Ontario) sent a whistling slapshot past a partially screened Jay Chrapala (Hamilton, Ontario) for what proved to be the game-winner with 10 minutes left in regulation. Tarantino added an empty net score with four seconds left to ice the victory for the Tigers.

RIT held a 25-17 advantage on shots and was 1-for-4 on the power play, while Manhattanville was 0-for-5 on its extra-man opportunities.

Sophomore George Eliopoulos (Markham, Ontario) made 15 saves for the win, while Chrapala recorded 21 stops.

The Tigers advance to the ECAC West Championship game on March 6, at 7:30 p.m., at the Geneva Recreation Complex. They will play the winner of top-seeded Hobart and fourth-seed Utica. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students with proper ID.