Feasterville, PA - Buffalo had a chance to repear, Rhode Island had the oppurtunity for some much deserved respect. In the end, Rhode Island got what they came to Feasterville for, a Regional Championship. It didn't come easy for Rhode Island, they trailed most of the game, trailing 2-0 before rallying for a 3-2 overtime thriller.

 

After a scoreless first period, Alex Durinka finally broked the scoreless tie and gave Buffalo a 1-0 lead at the 9:09 mark of the second period. Durinka fired a laser shot that found the back of net and for a while it looked like it would be the only goal of the game.

 

However, a Tyler Walser wrist shot gave Buffalo what looked like a commanding 2-0 lead with about five minutes remaining. Rhode Island showed their experince, with quite a few of the players still remembering the comeback they had in St. Louis to rally past Eastern Michigan and into the national championship game in 2007.

 

Eric Rieger cut the lead in half just 23 seconds after Walser put UB up by two. The goal, assisted by Chris Manchester seeded to lift the entire Rhode Island bench. The newly inspired Rhode Island Rams didn't waste any time getting the tying goal when Bredan Garrity found Rieger on a 2 on 1 for the tip in goal. With the scored tied 2-2, Buffalo and Rhode Island both took chances trying to avoid the overtime period in what amounted to the sixth game in less than thirty-six hours.

 

The overtime period was all Rhode Island. The Rams controlled the puck from the opening faceoff and had a few chances to win the game before they did just that. On the winning goal, Garrity looked up from deep in the zone and located a wide open Chris Manchester at the far point. Upon the arrival of the puck, Manchester fired an off balance slap shot that goalie Richie Latona couldn't handle as it found the back of the net.

 

The Championship was the first in school history. Despite winning three conference championships and one regular season championship in the past five years, this was URI's first trip to the title game in school history.