RIT freshman forward Carter Wilkie leads Tigers into 3-2 upset against Irish in overtime

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – RIT freshman forward Carter Wilkie scored 30 seconds into overtime to lead the Tigers to a 3-2 upset at No. 13 Notre Dame, Thursday.

RIT junior goalie Kolby Matthews made a sliding pad save on a point-blank shot by Notre Dame’s Cam Burke 19 seconds into the extra period which was cleared down the left-wing boards by junior forward Andrew Rinaldi. Sophomore defenseman Aidan Hansen-Bukata caught up to the puck in the Irish’s left face-off circle and centered a pass to Wilkie in the low slot for a short finish and the deciding tally.

HOW IT HAPPENED

RIT struck first after a failed Irish clear. Senior forward Nick Bruce took control of the puck on the left-wing boards and crossed a puck to senior forward Will Calverley for a one-timer inside the right post with 6:48 on the clock.
The Tigers took a 2-0 lead with 2:49 left in the period. Calverly won a neutral zone faceoff to senior forward Kobe Walker, who skated down the right-wing boards all the way around the Irish net before snapping a shot over Notre Dame goaltender Ryan Bischel’s blocker.

Notre Dame got on the board with 4:38 left in the second period. Ryder Rolston tipped a center-ice outlet pass down the left wing boards to a streaking Graham Slaggert, who scored on a wrist shot over Matthews’ glove.
Notre Dame tied the game with 10:46 left in the third. Double roughing minors followed by a hooking penalty put the Tigers skating down a man, 4-on-3. Rolston took a slapshot from the left point blocked by Tiger senior defenseman Dan Willett. The Irish re-grouped 10 seconds later and Nick Leivermann scored on another shot from the left point in front of a hobbled Willett with two seconds left on the power play opportunity.

GAME NOTES
Matthews totaled 32 saves, including 13 in the second and 10 in the third, to improve to 3-0-1 this season.
Notre Dame out-shot the Tigers, 34-19.
Calverley notched his fourth-consecutive game with a goal.
Willett blocked a game-high four shots.
Notre Dame was ranked No. 13 in this week’s USCHO.com national poll, while the Tigers received one vote. The Irish were also ranked No. 12 in the latest USA Hockey/USA Today national poll.

WHAT’S NEXT

RIT squares off again with the host Irish on Friday at 7:30 p.m.