>>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

[unscarred76]

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

Ok Hamburg's sweet goal got em going, now its getting exciting 4-0

 

[RIT Winters]

Well, that was fun. Wish they had used some of those goals last night. Great effort though. Ruby looked sharp, and I think he starts Friday at RoMo.

 

[Downstate_RIT_Fan]

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

Much needed win, glad I didn't jump on the bandwagon and start with all the bashing, I know it can be frustrating, but this is college hockey, the majority of these kids will be hanging up their skates when they finish their collegiate careers as much as we want all of them to be playing in the NHL and hoisting the Stanley Cup. So let's enjoy the wins and not jump off any bridges when they lose, the program is okay.

I had a look at the rest of the schedule, all western pod teams (three at home, five on the road), and even though we are in 8th (holding the tiebreaker over Army and UConn according to our radio guys) we've yet to win a game against a western pod team this year. Let's hope that whatever mojo we take out of this win carries into next weekends series against RMU.

 

[RITFan67]

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

Well, THAT was a fun game!! Congrats to the Ruby and the entire team on a great, convincing win... you guys showed everyone that the Tigers are still in this to win!

 

[Transplanted Tiger Fan]

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

This is the type of season that sorts out the diehards from the feint of heart. RIT has been here before and emerged stronger on the other side. The Tigers are steeped in hockey tradition and aren't disappearing after one difficult season. That is why you see so many of the same faces in the stands year after year. Those fans that fold so quickly only make room for new fans that recognize that the team, the atmosphere, and the tradition are still worth rooting for. So you won't be missed, the Polliseni Center will still be built, people will clamor for their favorite seat, stand in line for tickets, and even sell out games while you take your ball and go home.

Well-put. And Yup... and some of us are “lifers”. While I unfortunately do not make many (if any) trips up to the ol’ Alma Mater these days, I still support (albeit, quietly) the Tigers from afar, despite the W-L record.

Hell, even after a good night of “vocal stress relief” (you know what I mean, Corner Crew Brethren... at least you “old-timers” do!) at the expense of a rather-talented first-year Nazareth team’s inaugural visit to Elmira’s “Domes” tonight, I walked my way over to the area where Nazareth was leaving the ice and made it a point to thank Mr. Jarad DeMichiel for 2010 after the game. RIT Hockey sweatshirt donned proudly under a purple Elmira College jacket... which quite a few people gave me ‘crap’ for on Elmira’s Athletic Alumni weekend, by the way! Of course, only the ‘seasoned’ Alumni would take exception these days, but it’s all good.

Know that you just can’t win ‘em all. Some years are ‘down’, some are ‘up’. We have been spoiled, and rather fortunate, to have a recent history with many more ‘up’ years than ‘down’. While I may not have experienced the ride as intimately as others who post here, I have lived through the Glory Days (mid-80’s), the Dark Years (early-mid 90’s), the Resurrection (00’s), the Rebirth (late-00’s), and the current times... the whole time a fan of RIT. Maybe not the best, most knowledgeable fan, but a Tiger fan none-the-less.

I’ve thrown half-empty beer steins across a room in 1986 while listening to the radio, witnessed disappointment first-hand in 1989 and 2001, went through much anxiety in 2005, and experienced great pride in 2010, not to mention “Burn, baby Burn!!!”. It’s been “Hell”, it’s been “Bliss”, but most of all... it’s been fun. Simply put... “Enjoy the ride”, because if you’re not enjoying the ride, you’re on the wrong trip.

Cheers!!!
~”TTF”

 

[RITProf]

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

I'm not going to question anybody's level of fanaticism, but I will say that fans are often (usually) the most vocal critics.

And while last night's win was certainly nice to see, it leaves me baffled. That's just the sort of win RIT should have against this UCONN team (ok, maybe the TIgers got an extra goal or three) ... so why didn't something similar happen on Friday (or at least a hard-fought, close, loss). I don't know the answer, but I do know I am not going to "celebrate" a split at home to UCONN this year.

Despite last night, I am more pessimistic about the remainder of the season. Still a fan, still a huge supporter of DI hockey at RIT, but disappointed with the results so far this season and pessimistic for the rest.

That said, I would enjoy nothing more than some upsets going forward and some kind of improbable playoff run ... those are fun to watch!

And ... at least RIT didn't lose at home to AIC!!!!!!

 

[LtPowers]

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

I am stunned that Friday's winning goalie was rotated out and the losing goalie wasn't. Stunned, but glad. (Also, what's happened to Bartus this year??)

I agree Ruby gets the start Friday in Moon Township. I'll be there; anyone else?


Powers &8^]

 

[komey1]

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

Ruby is probably the starter until he has a bad game. Watson was decent, but he wasn't stealing games. I thought Ruby had an outstanding weekend. He was one of the few Tigers I thought played well Friday, and yesterday the only goal he gave up was on a 5-3 that really was a 5-2 because Smith lost his stick. The passer could have sent a text message to the other side saying "watch for the pass" and Ruby still wouldn't be able to do anything.

 

[MattS]

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

Ruby is probably the starter until he has a bad game. Watson was decent, but he wasn't stealing games. I thought Ruby had an outstanding weekend. He was one of the few Tigers I thought played well Friday, and yesterday the only goal he gave up was on a 5-3 that really was a 5-2 because Smith lost his stick. The passer could have sent a text message to the other side saying "watch for the pass" and Ruby still wouldn't be able to do anything.

The sad thing is the Uconn play almost screwed up that empty net shot.

 

[kerwing7]

I was surprised to see Ruby start Friday, and even more surprised to see him start Saturday. Is this the beginning of the Ruby era? Makes me wonder if the coaching staff see more upside in him and want him to get experience this year in preparation for next season...Are we playing for next season now?

Listening to coach Wilson's comments on WITR after last night's game, you would have thought we lost. He didn't seem impressed in the least with the outcome. I suppose for good reason, because it still only equals a 2 point split at home against a bottom half of the conference team.

 

[Ed Trefzger]

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

If there's only one thing to remain optimistic about (and I do think there's more than one) it's that there are still only five points separating RIT and 2nd place Mercyhurst, with 16 points up for grabs during the remaining eight games.

 

[RITFan67]

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

I was surprised to see Ruby start Friday, and even more surprised to see him start Saturday.

Yes, I was surprised too... at least about Saturday. I was not, however, surprised to see our team fired up and to take it up several notches for a win on Saturday. Seems that's they way the team is this year... they need a wake up call and then they play to their ability.

 

[RITProf]

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

Seems that's they way the team is this year... they need a wake up call and then they play to their ability.

I agree, that seems to be the case. I just would have thought that the wake up call would have come back in Oct. at the BCA. They shouldn't need one each (or most) weekend.

 

[Bing]

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

I agree, that seems to be the case. I just would have thought that the wake up call would have come back in Oct. at the BCA. They shouldn't need one each (or most) weekend.

I agree that Friday RIT played flat for most of the game, but I think UConn's style of play (i.e., packing it in near the goal) thoroughly frustrated the Tigers because there was no where to go with the puck in front of the net. Also, it seems that if RIT gets the first goal, they can really get going.

Totally off topic: I miss Cornacchia and Knowles on the the forecheck. It's rare that we make it tricky for teams to get it out of their own zone.

 

[komey1]

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

Not having the kind of forecheck that Knowles, Cornacchia, and McReynolds to disrupt teams breaking out of the zone has been a problem. If we can force the teams to take longer to get up ice, which should lead to fewer shots on goal.

 

[five8five]

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

I hate to say this but I have never ever seen RIT play well in front of Ruby. I honestly hope he never gets another start, including after Watson graduates. If he's our go-to goalie and isn't putting up back to back shut outs just to make up for how poorly he (and his defense) have played, I have a feeling I'll be watching much less RIT hockey in the next season(s) to come.

Ruby had an amazing game in Michigan. He kept RIT in the game until about half way through the third period. And even then, when it all started to fall apart, there wasn't much more he could have done. He made 51 saves that night, and several of them were impressive. I actually walked away from that game thinking he might have won the starting goalie spot despite the loss.

 

[five8five]

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

Totally off topic: I miss Cornacchia and Knowles on the the forecheck. It's rare that we make it tricky for teams to get it out of their own zone.

I miss them too, they were both awesome at forcing turnovers. But I do see other players stepping up to that role this season - Smith and Schuler are aggressive and have caused quite a few turnovers.

 

[five8five]

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

The whole issue with Burt is that it appeared he regressed as his career at RIT went along. It makes me wonder if his stats early in his career have more to do with his teammates being so good as opposed to him being that good. Or I suppose it could be that later in his career his teammates were so poor that teams could focus on him and "ignore" the rest of the team. It's something we will never know, but I don't think people knocking a little bit on Burt due to his regression is completely out of line.

I think the real issue lies in trying to compare the first half of his career at RIT with the last half. His role on the team during his first two years was completely different from the role he had the last two years.

I think it's also important to recognize that you can't use stats as the only benchmark for how much of an impact a player has on a team - but if you were going to try I would hope you would at least factor into those stats how much of the last two years he played injured.

 

[RITFan67]

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

Watched the re-run of Saturday's game yesterday on TW 1026... cool Tiger goals showing a lot of skill. Fun seeing the re-plays so you could really see the detail of what happened. Some pretty creative Tiger shots. Extremely poor UConn goal tending on two of the goals... I mean being too far out of the goal and stick dropping? Really? Great aggressive play on the Tigers' part and "puck-luck" finally kicked in. Just like the great golf mentor Harvey Penick said about putting, "... you've got to at least get it to the hole (or net in this case) to give luck a chance to happen."

 

[SmallTown]

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

I hate to say this but I have never ever seen RIT play well in front of Ruby. I honestly hope he never gets another start, including after Watson graduates. If he's our go-to goalie and isn't putting up back to back shut outs just to make up for how poorly he (and his defense) have played, I have a feeling I'll be watching much less RIT hockey in the next season(s) to come.

Ruby had a good game on Friday night, he was probably the best guy out there and he had an excellent game on Saturday night. He had a very good weekend and it was nice to see him be able to string a couple games together to show what he can do. He also played very well in Niagara when he came into the game. I wouldn't be surprised if he gets the start again Robert Morris this weekend. I'm fully behind Ruby and I think he's going to be a very good goaltender for us once given the chance to play on a regular basis.

I noticed you had an awful lot to say after Friday night's loss, but you've been awfully quiet since Saturday's win.