ERIE, Pa. – The Mercyhurst College men's hockey team dropped its third straight game with a 4-2 setback to Atlantic Hockey Association foe RIT on Saturday evening at the Mercyhurst Ice Center.

Despite jumping out to a 2-0 lead in the first period, the Lakers (5-9-1, 5-7-0 AHA) saw their chances at knocking off the Tigers slip away in the latter portion of the game. RIT scored two goals in the second and two more in the third to complete series sweep and improve to 7-0-1 in its last eight games at the Mercyhurst Ice Center.

Chris Haltigin started the run when he took a pass from Andrew Favot and rifled a shot from the blueline past senior netminder Ryan Zapolski at 8:46, while Adam Hartley evened the slate on the power play with just 18 seconds remaining in the period.

The Tigers then completed their comeback with a pair of goals during the final seven minutes. Cameron Burt scored the eventual game-winner at the 13:42 mark, and Mike Janda added an insurance tally with under two minutes to play.

The Lakers outshot the Tigers 45-30 for the game, including 18-6 during a dominating first period that was highlighted by a pair of breakaway goals by seniors Mike Gurtler and Steven Cameron. Gurtler's goal was his first of the season and came on the penalty kill, marking his sixth man-down score of his career.

Zapolski finished the game with 26 saves. Shane Madolora, on the other hand, recorded a career-high 41 stops to improve to 6-0-1.

Mercyhurst closes out the 2010 portion of its schedule this week when if faces non-conference opponent Alabama Huntsville on Thursday, Dec. 16 and Friday, Dec. 17 at the Mercyhurst Ice Center.