>>> RIT Tigers 2016-17: That was fun; let's go for three!

[Tom Naeger]

Re: >>> RIT Tigers 2016-17: That was fun; let's go for three!

I have this team seriously finishing anywhere between 1st and 6th. I thought last year the talent was there to win the league. Their heads got on the way. Yes there were injuries, but they always have injuries.

This year I think they are humbled, but eager to redeem themselves and they are more talented if I've got the read on this Freshman class...

[blazer777]

RIT was sixth last year, but lost in the first round against Niagara in 3.

Having the Norish twins healthy is huge for both the offense and defense. The power play was not the same without them.

If they can stay healthy so season

[komey1]

Re: >>> RIT Tigers 2016-17: That was fun; let's go for three!

RIT was sixth last year, but lost in the first round against Niagara in 3.

Having the Norish twins healthy is huge for both the offense and defense. The power play was not the same without them.

[LtPowers]

Re: >>> RIT Tigers 2016-17: That was fun; let's go for three!

It would be quite a leap from where the Tigers finished 2016-17 up to a bye and trip to the BCA.

Didn't we finish sixth? A bye is only one spot higher.


Powers &8^]

[Blitz]

Re: >>> RIT Tigers 2016-17: That was fun; let's go for three!

One thing for certain, with the batch of graduating goaltenders from Army, Air Force, Canisius, RIT, Niagara I do not think any team in Atlantic Hockey has a any advantage between the pipes going into the season. We lost all lot of premium goaltenders in a single season, many of the remaining ones do a great job however need to elevate their game to a much higher level to match some of the cream who have left imho. In looking at teams who did not lose their goaltender/s I see some really adequate netminders, but nothing to the likes of Starrett, Gahagan or a Williams so we'll have to see which team goaltending surfaces as it really is a whitewash at this time.

RIT has the Norrish twins back and healthy, with average goaltending and a stellar defense that should solidify their position high up in the standings. If a goaltender emerges of the stature of some of the ones who have graduated then the season could be brighter than that.

The biggest thing this season matchup wise has got to be goaltending, no one has the podium here so it is open to the right one to emerge.

I remember how instrumental Charles Williams become for Canisius when they acquired him last season, went from a 0.888 save percentage the year prior with Ferris State to a 0.943 save percentage at Canisius. In talking to some fans and parents that gave their team so much confidence when playing it elevated them from 6th/7th spot to 1st overall in the standings. There may have been other factors, but goaltending sure helped that out. Will be exciting to see who emerges league wide.

[Tom Naeger]

Re: >>> RIT Tigers 2016-17: That was fun; let's go for three!

Goaltending has to be improved. There is no way you are going to be successful in this league with a sub .900 SVS%. If that is the case then you will need 4 goals a night against some very good defensive teams a a couple of really good goaltenders. The competition is going on right now in practice. I expect to see all 3 goaltenders rotate at first, but I would not be surprised if each get just one start before the pattern changes. I think obviously Short has an up hill battle to gain the coaches confidence. Last year I thought the situation begged for him to at least get some more ice time. I certainly am not arguing that he should have been the starter, but the way Rotolo struggled in back to back games made it more odd that the coaching staff did not give him more looks. Anyway that argument is irrelevant right now, and what is relevant is that situation seems to favor one of the two freshmen. Drackett seems to have the more impressive bullet points on his hockey resume, but Andriano certainly put up some impressive numbers in his junior career. The great news is they have one of, if not the best defensive in front of them. The offense should take care of it's self, just up to the coaching staff to find right combinations. Incoming Freshman class is at the top of the league, all the forwards have a lot of scoring potential. First guy I am looking at this weekend is Hamacher...

[TigerFan86-87]

Re: >>> RIT Tigers 2016-17: That was fun; let's go for three!

Obviously it's going to depend on the goaltending. But I do think they have the best defensemen as a whole in the league from top to bottom. I think that it's going to come down to that. I think the team will be fine on offense. I think 18 wins sounds about right if the team stays healthy and first round bye and a trip to BCA.

It would be quite a leap from where the Tigers finished 2016-17 up to a bye and trip to the BCA. Having the Norrish twins healthy and playing all season would certainly go a long way towards achieving that. I just hope those who were on the ice for the disastrous finish can forget it (after they learn from the repeated mistakes and late game collapses, that is) and move forward, following the captains' lead. I'm not going out on a limb to say this, but the biggest question mark for this team is clearly the goaltending... enough said. As is usually the case, there won't be much of a point differential between 3rd place and 9th place in this conference. Only one or two wins here or there will likely make a huge difference in the standings. You just never know. The Tigers could perform pretty close to the same as last season and finish anywhere from a first round bye to being on the road for the first round.
My prediction (subject to change once we actually see them play a real game, of course) will be 12-13-3 in conference and 13-17-4 overall. I hope I'm so so so wrong, though.

[komey1]

Re: >>> RIT Tigers 2016-17: That was fun; let's go for three!

Obviously it's going to depend on the goaltending. But I do think they have the best defensemen as a whole in the league from top to bottom. I think that it's going to come down to that. I think the team will be fine on offense. I think 18 wins sounds about right if the team stays healthy and first round bye and a trip to BCA.

[Downstate_RIT_Fan]

Re: >>> RIT Tigers 2016-17: That was fun; let's go for three!

Can't believe we've dropped to the second page. Anyway we're getting closer to the start of the season. With all the talk, all the hype, all the predictions on where RIT is supposed to finish how do you all feel about the total number of wins this year? Coach says this team has a chip on their shoulders and are determined. The way last year ended was a huge disappointment. As the competition increases along with the scholarships I think we finish with 18 wins. That's both conference and non-conference wins. Anybody else care to chime in?

[Downstate_RIT_Fan]

"He was also a part of three consecutive AHA championships from 2013-2016"
It's amazing what professional journalists write sometimes. If RIT had honestly won championships from 2013 to 2016, that would be four, not three. Not to mention that they didn't even win 3 championships in that time frame, let alone three in a row. I'm guessing that if the quote is correct, the writer got that "fake news" from Kevin Kerr, who stated "“He won three championships in his time at RIT..."

Yup saw this. Not sure where the author got his info from. Maybe a cut and paste from a different league and team. Anyway best of luck to Caleb I will be following the Macon team and reading the box scores.

[TigerFan86-87]

Re: >>> RIT Tigers 2016-17: That was fun; let's go for three!

Caleb Cameron to play for the Macon Mayhem (SPHL). Jordan Ruby had a very successful year there last year being named the playoff MVP after leading them to the Presidents Cup Championship before heading off to play in France.

http://pointstreaksites.com/view/mac...ws/news_493565

"He was also a part of three consecutive AHA championships from 2013-2016"
It's amazing what professional journalists write sometimes. If RIT had honestly won championships from 2013 to 2016, that would be four, not three. Not to mention that they didn't even win 3 championships in that time frame, let alone three in a row. I'm guessing that if the quote is correct, the writer got that "fake news" from Kevin Kerr, who stated "“He won three championships in his time at RIT..."

[Downstate_RIT_Fan]

Re: >>> RIT Tigers 2016-17: That was fun; let's go for three!

Caleb Cameron to play for the Macon Mayhem (SPHL). Jordan Ruby had a very successful year there last year being named the playoff MVP after leading them to the Presidents Cup Championship before heading off to play in France.

http://pointstreaksites.com/view/mac...ws/news_493565

[StimulisRK]

Re: >>> RIT Tigers 2016-17: That was fun; let's go for three!

Sounds like Spectrum shutting down their sports channel is a blessing in disguise then, if we're going to get it over-the-air. I've never had Time Warner/Spectrum for TV so I've never been able to get the games when I can't make it to them.

[TigerFan86-87]

Re: >>> RIT Tigers 2016-17: That was fun; let's go for three!

That's kinda weird... I would think CW Rochester would be required to run CW's usual Friday night programming. Fans of Jane the Virgin won't be happy.


Powers &8^]

Wait... that show is still on TV? I don't think the unhappiness level will get too overwhelming.

[TigerFan86-87]

Re: >>> RIT Tigers 2016-17: That was fun; let's go for three!

CW Rochester (as does ABC Rochester) occasionally shows Yankees games, interrupting normal CW programming to do so.

But that's almost exclusively in the summer time when there are only re-runs on.