Men's Hockey | 1/26/2010 9:50:50 AM

ROCHESTER, NY - The RIT men's hockey team takes on the Bentley Falcons at Ritter Arena on Friday, Jan. 29 and Saturday, Jan. 30 in a pair of exciting Atlantic Hockey contests. Both games get underway at 7:05 p.m. On Saturday, RIT will “Make the Rink Pink” in an effort to cure cancer.  Saturday's game is officially sold out.

RIT men's and women's hockey teams are working with Zeta Tau Alpha sorority to raise money for cancer. Both teams will don pink jerseys that will be auctioned off in the fund-raiser, while fans can also purchase pink T-shirts both Friday and Saturday.

“It's going to be exciting to see the Tiger faithful convert from a sea of orange to a sea of pink for one special night,” says RIT men's hockey coach Wayne Wilson. “Our players see this as an opportunity to be involved in a wonderful philanthropic event and a chance to give back to the Greater Rochester community.”

Tim Horton's is sponsoring Friday's contest, as it is Youth Hockey Night. Any youth hockey player in eighth grade or below who wears their jersey gets in free. In addition, Tim Horton's will be giving away free coffee and hot chocolate, and there will be a Timbits Youth Hockey game during the first intermission. On Saturday, Salvatore's Pizzeria is the game sponsor.

RIT (14-9-1, 14-3-1 AHA) is looking to extend its winning streak to three games, after completing a sweep at American International last weekend. RIT won 5-3 on Friday and recorded its third shutout of the month, 4-0 on Saturday. Junior forwards Tyler Mazzei (Kelowna, British Columbia/) and Andrew Favot (King City, Ontario/) each dished out four assists over the weekend. Senior defenseman Dan Ringwald (Oakville, Ontario/) added a goal and three assists, while Tyler Brenner (Linwood, Ontario/) scored three times. RIT is tied for first place in the AHA standings with 29 points, and will look to take over sole possession of the top spot.

RIT is seventh nationally, allowing 2.21 goals per game. Goaltender Jared DeMichiel (Avon, CT/) is ninth in the nation with a 2.10 goals against average. The Tigers have allowed just 30 goals in 18 Atlantic Hockey contests this season, by far the fewest in the league.

Bentley (10-11-3, 8-8-2 AHA) comes into this weekend's contests after splitting a weekend series at Mercyhurst. Brett Hartung scored two goals in a 4-2 win on Friday. The Falcons fell 6-3 on Saturday. Senior Marc Menzione leads the squad with nine goals, 17 assists, and 26 points. He is just two points shy of 100 for his career. Sophomore Kyle Rank and junior Joe Calvi have split time in goal this season. Rank has six wins, while Calvi has a 4-3-1 mark and 3.11 goals against average.

RIT is 9-3-1 all-time against the Falcons and 7-2-1 since 2005. Last season, the Tigers posted 4-2 and 3-2 wins at Bentley.

Tickets are available for this Friday's game at the Gordon Field House and Activities Center Box Office or by phone at (585) 475-4121. Fans can also purchase tickets via ticketmaster.com. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for RIT faculty, staff and alumni and $5 for students with ID. Fans can also buy special reserved seats in Section 100 or 101 for $12 (adults), $10 (faculty/staff/alumni) or $7 (students). Buying a reserved section ticket will guarantee you a seat for the game. 

Both games will be aired live on Time Warner Cable Sports channel 26, with Gene Battaglia and John Ditullio bringing you the action.

Come out and support the Tigers in their quest for an Atlantic Hockey Association Championship.