Men's Hockey | 10/11/2019 11:19:00 AM
ROCHESTER, NY -- The ability to produce points is one of the qualities that drew collegiate coaches to
Shawn Cameron (Sherbrooke, Quebec/Cumberland Grads). Now in his senior season at RIT, Cameron is getting a chance to show what he can do in a prime offensive role for the Tigers.
So far, so good, too.
Cameron scored a pair of power-play goals last weekend as the Tigers opened their 2019-20 season with a 3-1 road victory over Colgate.
The waters get a little deeper this weekend, however. RIT travels to Toledo, Ohio, to play in the Ice Breaker Tournament. The Tigers (1-0) face No. 17 Bowling Green (1-0) at 8:05 p.m. Friday, then get another ranked opponent on Saturday, either No. 12 Western Michigan or No. 14 Ohio State.
"We're in against three top-20 teams, so nationally a lot of other teams are going to be looking at this tournament," Tigers coach
Wayne Wilson said.
Wilson said matching up against some of the best in the country provides an early measuring stick. The good thing for the Tigers is they're heading into the Ice Breaker with confidence after the opening-night win at Colgate.
They're also aware they were far from perfect in Game 1.
"We didn't have a lot of video (of Colgate) to use so we went with what we worked on in camp," Cameron said. "But we realize we have a lot of things to work on because they outshot us by a lot (34-14)."
The Tigers weren't exactly sure where the goals would come from this year after losing top guns
Erik Brown (Keene, Ontario/Kemptville 73's),
Abbott Girduckis (Belleville, Ontario/Wellington Dukes) and
Gabe Valenzuela (Brampton, Ontario/North York Rangers) to graduation. Cameron and junior linemates
Jake Hamacher (Corona, CA/Dubuque Fighting Saints) and
Alden Dupuis (Edmonton, Alberta/Bonnyville Pontiacs) are hoping to fill some of the void. A year ago, they often were matched up against the opponent's top line. Priority No. 1 was defending. This year, they're the go-to group.
"We know we have big shoes to fill," Cameron said. "We know the defense is taken care of (goalie
Logan Drackett (Calgary, Alberta/Calgary Canucks) plus a core of four senior defensemen). Now we need to score goals.
"I'm excited because that's what brought me here, scoring."
Cameron found the net twice against Colgate on the power play, working near the goal crease in a spot occupied the past two seasons by Brown. On one goal, he screened the goalie and slammed home the rebound. On the second, he found free space on the backdoor to convert the
Adam Brubacher (Elmira, Ontario/Powell River Kings) pass.
"Cameron is a player that had a lot of chances (to score) his first three years because of his speed and strength," Wilson said. "This was a good start. You want your key guys playing with confidence."
Video and live stats will be available for Friday's games. In addition, the contest will be aired on WITR 89.7 FM and Fox Sports 1280 with Ed Trefzger and Scott Biggar on the call.
