Men's Hockey | 10/23/2012 1:17:00 PM

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ROCHESTER, NY -- The RIT men's hockey team returns to action this week with a pair of tough tests.  On Thursday, the Tigers play their first Atlantic Hockey Association contest of the season at home against Robert Morris.  RIT then goes on the road to play ECAC foe Colgate in a non-conference tussle on Friday.  Both games begin at 7:05 p.m.

RIT is looking to get back in the win column after falling to Division I newcomer Penn State by a score of 3-2 on Saturday evening in front of a sold out crowd of 10,556 fans at Blue Cross Arena in downtown Rochester. The game was the focal point of RIT's Brick City Homecoming and Family Weekend. The Tigers out-shot Penn State 42-22, including 33-10 over the final two periods. Ben Lynch (Blaine, MN/Lincoln Stars) and Jeff Smith (Spokane, WA/Tri-City Storm) scored RIT's goals, while Josh Watson (Lititz, PA/Powell River Kings) made 19 saves. RIT played the final 4:13 with a power-play, but could not convert, despite firing 11 shots over that span.

Smith leads the team with five points on three goals and two assists. Lynch and Adam Mitchell (Crofton, MD/Baystate Breakers) each have three points on the season. RIT has yet to score a power-play goal in its first 13 chances of the season.

The Colonials of Robert Morris enter tonight's game with a 1-1 record after opening the season with a road split at No. 18 Quinnipiac on Oct. 13-14. In the opener, Robert Morris lost by a score of 4-0, getting out-shot 37-16. The following afternoon, the Colonials responded with a 4-0 win of their own, as Eric Levine stopped all 48 shots he faced to earn the shutout. Zach Hervato scored a pair of goals, while David Friedmann and Adam Brace also tallied for the Colonials.

RIT is 2-3-3 all-time against the Colonials. Last season, the Tigers went 0-1-2 against Robert Morris, losing 4-0 on the road and tying both home contests, 2-2. All three games played between RIT and Robert Morris at Ritter Arena have gone to overtime at 2-2. On Oct. 29, 2010, Mitchell scored his first collegiate goal in overtime to lift RIT to a dramatic 3-2 win over the Colonials.

Colgate will enter Friday's contest with a 2-3-0 record. The Raiders scored 10 goals in their season-opening win against Niagara, but have tallied just six goals over their last four games. On Saturday, Colgate snapped a three-game losing streak with a 4-2 win over Bowling Green. Tylor Spink and Kyle Baun recorded a goal and an assist apiece in the win. Both players lead the team in scoring with five points apiece this season. In net, Eric Mihalik is 2-2-0 with a 3.27 goals against average and .865 save percentage. Spencer Finney has a 2.26 goals against average and .903 save percentage.

RIT is 1-7-0 all-time against Colgate, 0-2 at the Division I level. The two teams last met on Oct. 10, 2009, when Colgate defeated RIT, 3-2 at Blue Cross Arena during Brick City Weekend. On Oct. 13, 2007, Colgate defeated RIT 6-5 at Starr Rink in Hamilton.

Tickets are available for Thursday's game at the Gordon Field House and Activities Center Box Office or by phone at (585) 475-4121. Fans can also purchase tickets at www.rithockey.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 $13 (adults), $11 (faculty/staff/alumni) or $8 (students). Buying a reserved section ticket will guarantee you a seat for the game.

Thursday's game will be aired live on Time Warner Cable Sports channel 26 or 1026 for high definition subscribers with Gene Battaglia and John DiTullio bringing you the action from Ritter Arena.  In addition, both games will be broadcast over the airwaves on WITR 89.7 FM and witr.rit.edu.

Come out and support the Tigers as they begin their quest for the 2013 Atlantic Hockey Championship.