Key Takeaways
- The RIT Men’s Hockey team is hosting Robert Morris for two games this Friday and Saturday, looking to bounce back from a split against No. 8/9 Penn State last weekend.
- First-year forward Evan Konyen was named the AHA Rookie of the Week after scoring the game-winner against Penn State and leading the team with seven goals and 12 points.
- RIT ranks fourth nationally and first in the AHA with a.889 penalty killing percentage, and 15th nationally in scoring defense, allowing only 2.40 goals per game.
- Sophomore goaltender Jakub Krbecek ranks third nationally with a 1.91 goals against average and fourth with a.930 save percentage.
- The Tigers lead the all-time series with Robert Morris, 28-17-6, and look to complete the season sweep after winning two games in Pennsylvania in November.
Introduction to the Upcoming Games
The RIT Men’s Hockey team is set to host Robert Morris for two games this Friday and Saturday, marking the unofficial start of the second half of the Atlantic Hockey America (AHA) schedule. The Tigers are coming off a split against No. 8/9 Penn State last weekend, where they shut out the Nittany Lions 1-0 at home before falling 7-3 on the road. The Colonials, on the other hand, are looking to bounce back from a pair of AHA losses to Sacred Heart. The games will be broadcast on FloHockey.tv, SportsNet Pittsburgh, and WITR 89.7 FM, with live stats available on ritathletics.com.
Recent Performance
RIT started the New Year with a 1-0 victory over nationally-ranked Penn State, thanks to a goal from first-year forward Evan Konyen and 44 saves from sophomore goaltender Jakub Krbecek. However, Penn State bounced back in the rematch, breaking a 1-1 tie with two unanswered second-period goals and building a 4-1 lead early in the third. Senior forward Philippe Jacques and junior defenseman Ben Roger each finished with a goal and an assist, while Krbecek made 29 saves in the loss. Konyen’s performance earned him the AHA Rookie of the Week award, his first of the season.
Team Statistics and Achievements
RIT has been impressive on the penalty kill, ranking fourth nationally and first in the AHA with a.889 penalty killing percentage. The team has only allowed seven goals in 63 opponent power play attempts this season. The Tigers also rank 15th nationally in scoring defense, allowing only 2.40 goals per game. Sophomore goaltender Jakub Krbecek has been a key factor in the team’s success, ranking third nationally with a 1.91 goals against average and fourth with a.930 save percentage. The team has also had success at home, with last Saturday’s win over Penn State coming in front of a sellout crowd of 4,233 fans, marking the eighth sellout in 12 seasons of the Gene Polisseni Center.
Historical Context and Upcoming Schedule
The Tigers have played 750 games since making the jump to the Division I level for the 2005-06 season, owning a 366-315-70 record for a.534 winning percentage. RIT is currently 9-1 when scoring at least three goals, but 2-8 when scoring fewer than three goals. The team is also 10-2 when holding opponents under three goals, but 1-7 when allowing three or more goals. After playing at home in seven of its first nine games of the season, RIT is home this weekend following an 11-game stretch that only featured two home games. The Tigers will look to continue their success at home against Robert Morris, leading the all-time series 28-17-6 and winning eight of the previous 10 matchups.
Player Contributions
Seventeen Tigers have scored at least one goal this season, while 22 of the 24 total skaters have notched at least one point. Senior defenseman Xavier Lapointe notched his first assist of the season in last Monday’s loss at Clarkson, while junior defenseman Ben Roger notched his first goal of the season in the 2-1 win at Robert Morris. The team’s depth and contributions from all players will be crucial in the upcoming games against Robert Morris.
Series History and Conclusion
RIT leads the all-time series with Robert Morris, 28-17-6, and looks to complete the season sweep after winning two games in Pennsylvania in November. The Tigers won the first game 2-1, with junior forward Christian Catalano netting the game-winning goal with 46.5 seconds left in regulation. In the second game, RIT won 3-2, with first-year forward Zach Wigle tallying a power-play goal with 3:31 remaining for the game winner. The Tigers will look to extend their nine-game winning streak against the Colonials and continue their success in the AHA.