The Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) Men’s Hockey team delivered an impressive 6-2 victory over Bentley University on Saturday, November 9, 2024, in Atlantic Hockey action. The win helped the Tigers bounce back from a tough 5-0 loss the previous night, splitting the weekend series. Sophomore forward Matthew Wilde had a standout performance, scoring two goals and adding two assists, while Tyler Fukakusa also contributed significantly with four assists in the dominant victory.
Bentley made an early statement by scoring two quick goals in the opening minutes of the game. Just 25 seconds in, Ethan Leyh netted a one-timer to give the Falcons an early lead. Two minutes later, Chase Davis extended Bentley’s advantage, chipping a shot over RIT’s freshman goaltender Jakub Krbecek. However, the Tigers responded swiftly, with Christian Catalano scoring on the power play late in the first period to pull RIT back into contention.
In the second period, RIT quickly leveled the score. A precise long pass from Krbecek, who made his sixth consecutive game with over 30 saves, set up Wilde for a quick strike to tie the game 2-2. From that point, the Tigers took control, scoring four more goals to secure the win. The second period alone saw RIT net three goals in under six minutes. Wilde was involved in each of those goals, including one in which he set up junior defenseman Gustav Blom for a powerful wrist shot and another that led to a goal by Philippe Jacques.
Wilde’s four-point effort marked a career-high for the sophomore forward, while Fukakusa’s four assists also stood out as a personal best. The Tigers’ ability to capitalize on their offensive chances—particularly their power play—proved crucial in their comeback. RIT finished 1-for-2 on the man advantage, while Bentley failed to score on any of their three power plays.
RIT’s strong offensive showing, combined with Krbecek’s solid netminding, helped the Tigers overcome a 35-31 shot deficit and clinch the Atlantic Hockey win. The Tigers’ balanced attack was further highlighted by the presence of senior Grady Hobbs, who tallied his 50th career point with an assist on the team’s final goal.
Looking ahead, RIT is set to face Army next weekend, with games scheduled for Friday and Saturday, November 15-16, at home.