FINAL from Appleton: SLU 3, RIT 1

FINAL SCORE

SLU 3, RIT 1

Vermeulen Scores at buzzer on empty net

Heading down for interview. Robby Moss in '10.

Third period notes

Timeout RIT. Perhaps discussing what that vortex is in the SLU goal.

42 SAVES FOR MOSS See what I mean?

Two and half to play SLU still up 2-1.

Robby Moss might want to run for president if SLU hangs on.

Penalty killed even strength

Moss two more big saves. Is there a wall there?

Moss a glove save.

RIT pulling goalies. Saints penalty 4-on-3.

Moss appears a little hurt after the play. He'll stay in the game.

Double penalties for a minor altercation. 4-on-4 for 2 minutes.

A near goal waived off by officials for RIT.

SLU GOAL VERMEULEN assisted by Pete Child. 10:05.

RIT interference. SLU power play

RIT still in control, Moss looking exhausted.

SLU misses another chance on a 2-on-1 breakaway.

Moss makes his best save as power play expires.

SLU Matt Raley penalty: 2:00.

RIT takes a shot just 10 seconds in. Moss makes the stop.

Second Period impressions

The Saints came out much more aggressive, although it appears RIT is the real-deal this year. The Tigers do not look like a team which has lost six of its last seven against SLU, albeit some of those years RIT was not Division I.

The Saints are getting plays to develop, but the centering passes aren't finding anyone. That changed with Armstrong's goal — his first of the season. Aaron Bogosian and Jared Keller assisted on the score. Armstrong was all alone in front and put the shot over DeMichiel's right shoulder.

My prediction: St. Lawrence will sneak one more by DeMichiel. They've had their chances, but couldn't connect until late in the second period. As long as Moss continues to play well (all 19 of his saves seem to be marvelous) the Saints will win this.

The RIT sports information director said this is exactly what happened to RIT against Colgate last week. The Tigers dominated possession and shots until the third period, when they presumably ran out of gas. Expect shorter shifts and more players for the Saints to keep RIT moving.

Box Score

SLU 1, RIT 1

First Period: 1, RIT, Hartley (Murphy, Haltigin), 11:37.

Second Period: 2, SLU, Armstrong (J. Keller, Bogosian), 15:49.

Saves: SLU, Moss 19 saves; RIT, DeMichiel 14.

END OF SECOND PERIOD

Second period notes

Moss saves a one-timer. 25 seconds left. He's definitely the SLU MVP this game.

SLU fails to score on a 3-on-1 breakaway. Bollig stumbled with puck. Penalty killed. A minute left.

SLU power play 3:19.

GOAL SLU finally a centering pass found someone. Mark Armstrong from Jared Keller, 15:49 into period

Players starting to get testy, both sides. Child misses a good look.

RIT is in full control. I can't recall the last Saints chance, aside from the play Drewiske was hurt.

RIT desperately needs a second goal, but Moss is playing beautifully in net.

Moss another great save. 8:35 left in second.

Bollig can't connect on centering pass. Another nice save by DeMichiel for RIT.

Drewiske up, favoring right leg. Can't put any weight on it. He's helped to the locker room.

Drewiske hurt. Slid head first into the board on a breakaway behind RIT net.

Cunningham misses a 1-on-1 chance for SLU: 16:37 left in second.

Saints much more physical, looking better already.

Penalty killed.

Great stick save by Moss on power play. He sprawled across the net for it.

RIT starts the session with a 90-second power play after the Saints had too many men on the ice. So far SLU is 1-for-1 on penalty kills. RIT is playing tough, but not dirty... not yet anyway. The intensity needs to pick up for St. Lawrence.

First period impressions

The Saints aren't hanging on to the puck, which is exactly what coach Joe Marsh said they spent the whole week working on. St. Lawrence is trying to push too much when they don't have the numbers and are either shooting a weak shot in or having it stolen away.

SLU had only one legitimate chance to score in the first period, but Jeff Caister fired a power-play shot straight into the pads of RIT goalie Jared DeMichiel. He hasn't had to work too hard thus far.

I imagine Marsh is none too pleased with the Saints performance in the first period. The physicality of the Tigers is proving to wear on some of the Saints, especially the younger ones like Kyle Flanagan, who has been a complete non-factor. He also lost his glove twice.

Moss is looking decent in net, allowing only one goal despite several point-blank opportunities for RIT.

The Saints defense is obviously thin. Unless Caister and Derek Keller are on the ice, RIT has almost uninterrupted possession in the SLU zone.

Second half should be interesting. The energy Marsh wanted wasn't there. I blame RIT's aggression. The Tigers are throwing shoulders, cross checks and anything else they can, including open-ice hits on Saints players.

Box score

RIT 1, SLU 0

First Period: 1, RIT, Hartley (Murphy, Haltigin), 11:37.

Saves: RIT, DeMichiel 9 save; SLU, Moss 4

END OF FIRST PERIOD

First Period Notes:

Saints too many men on ice RIT power play.

Saints aren't even getting shots. They have to get a look first. Great defense from RIT.

RIT in full control of puck possession. Saints appear to be looking for the rush before they get full control of the puck. It's bouncing all over the place, including into the stands.

Saints 3-on-2 McKenzie loses puck, 4:45

RIT GOAL: Hartley (Murphy, Haltigin), 11:37

St. Lawrence doesn't seem to have a lot of energy here in the early going. Perhaps a bit put off my RIT's physicality.

RIT blocking a lot of shots. No hesitation sacrificing the body.

Caister best chance, good save by DeMichiel for RIT. Penalty killed.

Holding penalty on Sean Murphy (RIT) SLU power play. 14:04 left in first 0-0

Two great saves by Moss. Scoreless tie still.

RIT really physical, hoping to take Saints out of game on brute.

RIT sloppy early on. Saints a little slow coming out. Moss makes one save

Official start time: 7:00 p.m.

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Saints take the ice. The Siren sounds loud and healthy. Six minutes to game time.

Game Officials: Chip Mcdonald, Scott Whittemore, Brett Reed, Christopher Piti.

About 10 minutes from game time and my time-lapse video is not looking good. Only a few hundred people here right now.

Both teams just took warm-ups and headed back into the locker room. The Zamboni is out on the ice. We're about 20 minutes away.

Starters

SLU

Offense: Kyle Flanagan, Jeremiah Cunningham, Mike McKenzie

Defense: Jeff Caister, Derek Keller

Goalie: Robby Moss

RIT

Offense: Sean Murphy, Stevan Matic, Adam Hartley.

Defense: Chris Saracino, Chris Haltigin

Goalie: Jared DeMichiel.

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I'm testing out some time lapse with the Flip Video here at Appleton, so if you're reading this and you live near SLU, come on down. It's the home opener, and you could be on TV... er... I mean on my blog!

Extra Game Notes

• SLU coach Joe Marsh said he'll start Robby Moss in net tonight. Alex Petizian has the flu and will not play today. He is questionable for tomorrow.

• Talked with Aaron Bogosian as he was preparing his stick, and he said he liked his video. I told him he needs to point up to the press box if he thinks he might get into a fight so I could tape that, too. We'll see.

• St. Lawrence students are on fall break, so attendance might be a little low, I'll keep you posted. Doors open at 6 p.m.

• Should RIT win it would be just its second over St. Lawrence in the series history. The Saints hold a 6-1 edge.

• RIT coach Wayne Wilson is seeking the school wins record. He sits at 188-91-24. A win today would make him RITs all-time coaching wins leader.

• The Tigers are riding a nine-game unbeaten streak on the road. They are 8-0-1.

Puck drops at 7 p.m. Refresh this page throughout the game for live updates. The sweater girls look lovely as always.