By Tommy Kane

Published: October 20th, 2019

Chapter 3: RIT Homecoming

Tiger News and Notes

2019 Brick City Homecoming Game. Played at the Blue Cross Arena in downtown Rochester.

Prior to the contest, the Tigers were 0-1 against Merrimack.

All Tigers were healthy for the first time this season.

The RIT Tigers (3-1) shutout the Merrimack Warriors (1-4) on Oct. 19, 2019, at the Blue Cross Arena in Rochester, NY. The Tigers mustered four goals in the game that was a part of RIT’s annual Brick City Homecoming Weekend.

The game had a lively atmosphere that was enjoyed by the students, alumni, and their families.

Freshman Takeover

In last week’s contest against Bowling Green, freshmen Andrew Rinaldi (F) and Caleb Moretz (F) scored their first collegiate goals. Rinaldi tied the game at two apiece, and then Moretz scored the game-winner in overtime. Largely enough, this was against a ranked opponent on the road.

“It was a great feeling,” Rinaldi said when asked about his goal. “It was kind of a relief when the puck went in the net cause I finally got that first goal. The boys [team] were so supportive of me and it was a huge first goal since it tied the game.”

“To be honest it all happens so fast that I definitely blacked out a little while, but afterward I was extremely pumped that I actually started contributing to the team in a way that helped us win,” Moretz explained. “But, realistically that goal wouldn’t have been possible without Dracks [Logan Drackett (G)] making some incredible saves, Nalds [Rinaldi] scoring a huge goal late in the third to tie the game, or Cavs [Will Calverley (F)] making a perfect pass. The props really go to those guys, I was just in the right place at the right time and capitalized.”

So far this season, Rinaldi has two points and Moretz has one point.

The Coach’s Corner

Head Coach, Wayne Wilson, assessed how his Freshman class had been doing through the first three matches of the season, including the Ice Breaker Tournament just last weekend. Overall, he seemed pleased about the performances.

“The Freshman have done a really good job fitting in,” he started to explain. “I’ve been impressed with the impact they have made so far, especially their demeanor. When starting a college career, there could be some nervousness. Yes, they may be nervous, but they are very calm. I’m looking forward to seeing their progress and where it all goes.”

Coach Wilson was right about how the Freshman have made a large impact thus far with the team, and it will be exciting to see their performance and progression throughout the season.

Homecoming Shutout

An overhead view of the 2019 Brick City Homecoming Game

The Blue Cross Arena was rocking with a sea of orange as the game between the Tigers and the Warriors got underway.

It was a little of a sloppy start for the Tigers, but there was not a point in the game when all was lost, as the Tigers were able to rebound quickly from any setback that occurred.

Late in the first period came the first goal, and it was Ryan Kruper (F) making a fancy move around the Merrimack defense to fire the puck home past goalie, Troy Kobryn. The party finally started in Rochester.

A few minutes later, Andrew Petrucci (F) of the Tigers found the puck during a scrum in front of the net and stuffed it past the keeper. His first goal of the season gave RIT a two-goal edge heading into the first intermission.

The second period is where the physicality picked up, but some could argue it was quite physical from the start. The Tigers had a few penalties to kill, but good defense, goaltending, and blocks kept Merrimack off the scoreboard.

Late in the second period, Elijah Gonsalves (F) scored his first colligate goal and gave the Tigers a 3-0 lead. RIT started to ride that momentum and energy into the third period.

The Tigers took the game by storm in the third period, not allowing a goal or even a chance for the Warriors to come back. The game finished off with the Tigers finally getting their first powerplay chance of the evening. Shawn Cameron (F) found a good feed from sort of behind the cage and stunned Kobryn with his shot.

By the end of the game, the crowd was erupting and happy to see not only their Tigers win, but to play such a complete game and complete the shutout. RIT goalie, Logan Drackett, stopped all 28 shots.

RIT had 22 shots in the game and went perfect on their only powerplay. Merrimack, on the other hand, was stone cold on their powerplay, missing out on all three chances.

Overall, it was a great win for the Tigers heading into their conference play.

On the Road to Colorado

The Tigers will open up league play on Oct. 24, 2019, as they will head to Colorado Springs, CO to take on the Air Force Academy Falcons (0-4). They will also play on Oct. 25, 2019, as well. Both games will start at 9:05 PM EST.

RIT will make their return to the Gene Polisseni Center on Nov. 1 and Nov. 2, 2019, to play the College of Holy Cross Crusaders (1-1-1). The puck will drop at 7:05 PM EST on Nov. 1, and 5:05 PM EST on Nov. 2.

GO TIGERS!

Stats Against Merrimack