Men's Hockey | 2/5/2014 8:30:00 AM

Click here for RIT Game Notes --- Click here for Robert Morris Game Notes

ROCHESTER, NY – The RIT men's hockey team looks to gain ground in the Atlantic Hockey Association standings with a pair of key contests against AHA rival Robert Morris University at 7:05 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
 
Tim Horton's and Salvatore's are Friday's game sponsors, while Taylor the Builders will sponsor Saturday's contest.
 
RIT plays its final eight games of the regular season against AHA foes. The Tigers currently have 16 points in AHA play, good for eighth place. Robert Morris is tied for fourth in the league standings with 23 points. If the season ended before this weekend's games, RIT would host Holy Cross in a first round series. RIT was the No. 8 seed in the AHA last season.
 
The Tigers went 0-1-1 last weekend at home against Holy Cross, skating to a 3-3 draw on Friday and falling 4-2 on Saturday. Todd Skirving (Thunder Bay, Ontario/Sioux Falls Stampede) and Nolan Descoteaux (Dallas, TX/South Shore Kings) each recorded three points on the weekend to lead RIT. Mike Rotolo (Rochester, NY/Cedar Rapids Roughriders) made 62 saves in net, including a career-high 39 on Friday. Mike Colavecchia (Maple, Ontario/Lindsay Muskies) leads the team in scoring with 25 points on 11 goals and 14 assists, while Skriving and Greg Noyes (Lucan, Ontario/Salmon Arm Silverbacks) have 20 points apiece.
 
RIT has traditionally had strong special teams and this year is no exception. RIT's power-play scored four times last weekend against Holy Cross and is currently third nationally, converting at 24.3 percent. The RIT penalty-killing unit has allowed just two power-play goals over the last six games, killing off 25 of its opponents last 27 chances with the man-advantage.
 
Robert Morris enters the weekend as arguably the league's hottest team, riding a seven-game unbeaten streak (6-0-1) and an 8-1-1 mark over the last 10 games. Last weekend, the Colonials swept Army by scores of 4-0 and 6-4 to move into a tie for fourth in the AHA standings. Cody Wydo leads the team in scoring with 31 points on 19 goals and 12 assists. Zac Lynch is right behind with 27 points on 13 goals and 14 assists. Robert Morris is outscoring its opponents, 82-79 this season. In net, Penfield native Terry Shafer has played in 24 games for the Colonials this season, recording a 10-11-3 mark with a 2.93 goals against average and .913 save percentage.
 
RIT is 4-5-3 all-time against Robert Morris and 1-1-2 all-time vs. the Colonials at Ritter Arena. They have won the last two against Robert Morris, including a 4-2 win at 84 Lumber Arena on Nov. 9. Ben Lynch (Blaine, MN/Lincoln Stars) led the way with a goal and an assist, while Matt Garbowsky (St. George, Ontario/Powell River Kings) had a pair of assists. Todd Skirving (Thunder Bay, Ontario/Sioux Falls Stampede) scored his first collegiate goal in the win. In net, Jordan Ruby (Tavistock, Ontario/Wellington Dukes) stopped 37 of 39 shots to pick up the victory.

Tickets are available for Saturday'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.

Both games will be aired live on Time Warner Cable Sports Channel 26 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 and on America One. Live stats are also available for both contests.

Come out and support the Tigers in their final season at Ritter Arena. Next season, the Tigers move in to the 4,200-seat Gene Polisseni Center.