ROCHESTER, NY – The RIT men’s hockey team returns home for the first time in three weeks to host Atlantic Hockey foe Army for a pair of games at the Gene Polisseni Center at 7:05 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Tickets for both contests are available at the Gene Polisseni Center and Gordon Field House Box Offices, by calling (585) 475-4121, or by visiting www.rithockey.com.
RIT (9-11-4, 8-6-4 AHC) looks to continue its strong league play this weekend, after splitting a pair of games at Bentley, falling 2-1 on Friday, while winning 5-2 on Saturday. On Friday, Andrew Miller (Chicago, IL/Chicago Steel) scored RIT’s lone goal, despite the Tigers holding a 33-17 edge in shots. On Saturday, Josh Mitchell (Osoyoos, British Columbia/Alberni Valley Bulldogs) and Matt Garbowsky (St. George, Ontario/Powell River Kings) each tallied a career-high four points on two goals and two assists in the win, while line mate Brad McGowan (Langley, British Columbia/Surrey Eagles) added a pair of assists. In goal, Mike Rotolo (Rochester, NY/Cedar Rapids Roughriders) made 30 saves for his third straight victory, as RIT held a 43-32 edge in shots.
The Tigers killed off all 11 Bentley power-play attempts over the weekend and have not allowed a power-play goal over the last five games, spanning 22 chances. Bentley entered the weekend with the second best power-play in Division I. RIT is now sixth nationally in penalty-killing percentage at 88.6 percent.
Garbowsky leads the nation with 389 face-off wins, tied for second with 17 goals, and is sixth with 32 points. Mitchell is right behind with 27 points on nine goals and 18 assists. Rotolo has now won his last three starts and has stopped 143-of-153 shots (.935 save percentage) over his last five games.
RIT is 5-1-2 over its last eight Atlantic Hockey contests.
Army enters the weekend looking to snap a three-game winless streak. Last Saturday, the Black Knights trounced Royal Military College of Canada, 8-0 in an exhibition game. Clint Carlisle led the way with a goal and three assists. Its opponents are outscoring Army, 79-49 this season. Freshman Tyler Pham leads the team in scoring with 21 points on eight goals and 13 assists. In goal, Parker Gahagen and Cole Bruns have split time this season. Gahagen is 4-10-1 with a 3.16 goals against average and .907 save percentage, while Bruns is 1-6-1 with a 3.54 goals against average and .885 save percentage.
RIT plays seven of its final 10 games at the Gene Polisseni Center, all against AHC opponents. The Tigers enter the weekend sixth in AHC play with 20 points, just three points out of third place. Army is currently ninth with 12 points. If the season ended today, RIT would host Niagara in a best-of-three first round series.
RIT leads the all-time series between the two schools, 13-2-5 and is 6-1-3 against the Black Knights on home ice. RIT has a 15-game unbeaten streak over the Black Knights (12-0-3) dating back to Nov. 14, 2008, outscoring them 59-28 over that stretch. Last season, the Tigers swept Army on home ice, winning by scores of 6-0 and 4-3.
Both games will be aired live on Time Warner Cable Sports Channel 26. As always, Gene Battaglia and John DiTullio are on the call from the Gene Polisseni Center. The contests will be broadcast over the airwaves on WITR 89.7 FM and witr.rit.edu, and on America One. Live stats are also available for both contests.
Come out and support your Tigers in their first season at the Gene Polisseni Center.
