Men's Hockey | 1/26/2016 1:08:00 PM

ROCHESTER, NY – The RIT men's hockey team looks to extend its five-game winning streak, returning home to face Atlantic Hockey rival Holy Cross on Friday, Jan. 29 and Saturday, Jan. 30 from the Gene Polisseni Center. Both games get underway at 7:05 p.m.
 
RIT (12-10-2, 12-5-1 Atlantic Hockey) begins the weekend second in the league standings with 25 points, one ahead of Holy Cross and three behind leader Robert Morris. The Tigers and Crusaders both have two games in hand on Robert Morris, who is off this weekend. RIT plays its final 10 games against Atlantic Hockey foes, including six on home ice.
 
On Friday, RIT will look to Black out the Polisseni Center, as all fans in attendance will receive a free black t-shirt. On Saturday, RIT is teaming up with "Warm Hearts, Warm Bodies" by Colin and the Open Door Mission for a coat drive. Fans who donate a new or gently used winter coat will receive a buy one ticket get one free offer. Tickets are available for both games online at www.rithockey.com, the Gene Polisseni Center Box Office, or by calling (585) 475-4121.
 
RIT is also celebrating its men's hockey alumni weekend. There will be an alumni game at 3 p.m. Saturday from the Polisseni Center.

Last weekend, the Tigers earned a road sweep against league foe Sacred Heart, winning 3-1 on Friday and 5-3 on Sunday. RIT had to wait an extra day to play, as Saturday's game was postponed due to the threat of Winter Storm Jonas that pounded the east coast. On Friday, Gabe Valenzuela (Brampton, Ontario/North York Rangers), Caleb Cameron (Sundridge, Ontario/Listowel Cyclones), and Liam Kerins (Caledon, Ontario/North York Rangers) scored power-play goals, while Josh Mitchell (Osoyoos, British Columbia/Alberni Valley Bulldogs) had three assists and Christian Short (Vaughan, Ontario/Surrey Eagles) made 23 saves. On Sunday, Gabe Valenzuela (Brampton, Ontario/North York Rangers) scored twice, while Myles Powell (Courtenay, British Columbia/Cowichan Valley Capitals), Chase Norrish (Strongfield, Saskatchewan/Yorkton Terriers), and Todd Skirving (Thunder Bay, Ontario/Sioux Falls Stampede) also scored. Short made 29 saves, as RIT killed off two long 5-on-3 power-plays and eight of nine overall.
 
RIT enters this weekend on a roll, having won five straight games and eight of its last nine contests. The Tigers are 7-1-0 in January, having scored 35 goals, third most in Division I. The seven January wins are tied with Dartmouth for the most in the country. Mitchell has 12 points during the month to lead the way.
 
RIT is 9-0-1 on the road in league play this season, setting a new team record for longest road unbeaten streak against conference foes. In goal, Christian Short (Vaughan, Ontario/Surrey Eagles) has stepped into the starting role and has a 6-1 mark, with five straight wins. He leads all goalies with an (.800 winning percentage) in Atlantic Hockey play this season (8-2-0 record). Valenzuela was named the Atlantic Hockey Rookie of the Week for the second time this season on Tuesday.
 
Holy Cross (13-9-2, 11-5-2 AHC) enters the weekend right behind RIT in the league standings, but is 1-3-1 over its last five games. Last weekend, Holy Cross recorded a tie and an overtime loss at home vs. Canisius. The two teams skated to a 2-2 draw on Friday, while Canisius recorded the 2-1 victory Saturday. Mike Barrett leads Holy Cross in scoring with 21 points on 11 goals and 10 assists, while T.J. Moore is right behind with 20 points on 12 goals and eight assists. Joe McNamara leads the team with 15 assists. Holy Cross is out-scoring its opponents, 76-65. In goal, Paul Berrafato is 12-7-2 with a 2.28 goals against average and a .915 save percentage.
 
RIT is 24-12-5 all-time against Holy Cross and 20-7-5 at the Division I level. RIT was 18-1-2 against Holy Cross from 2006-12. Holy Cross holds a 6-2-3 mark against RIT since the start of the 2012-13 season. Last season, Holy Cross went 2-1-1 against the Tigers.
 
Both games will be aired live on Time Warner Cable Sports in Rochester with Gene Battaglia and John DiTullio on the call. In addition, both contests will be broadcast over the airwaves on WITR 89.7 FM and witr.rit.edu. Online video is also available, along with live stats.

Come out and support the Tigers as they look to repeat as Atlantic Hockey Champions.