Looks like it dropped on Saturday night. Only caught the last 10 minutes of the 3rd but it didn't sound good. Seems like they are back to their usual early season OOC pattern. Hopefully, it all comes together and they start a winning streak.
I made the trip up to RPI on Saturday night. Was fortunate to speak with one of the posters over on the RPI threads. Always nice to meet a USCHO forum poster in person. More on that later.
As for the game, looks like Coach Wilson gave some of the newer Tigers a chance to play. I thought there seemed to be a lot of freshman out there. Short started in goal. RIT seemed to carry the play early especially with both teams at full strength and were rewarded by taking the early lead. RPI kept chipping away and took the momentum only to go up 3-1 after a wrap around goal. Mike then went into the goal and RIT fought back to tie at 3. That was encouraging. I'm not sure about the penalty that led to the RPI power play goal and 4-3 lead. Looked pretty harmless and after the 2nd Wilson seemed to be looking to have a discussion with one of the refs as he was walking off the ice. RIT took it to RPI early in the third but good defense by RPI and some puck luck kept RIT from getting the equalizer. RPI's fifth goal was right in front of me and sealed the deal, it was a 2-0 breakaway, nothing Mike could do about that. Last goal was an empty netter. I think Coach was still working new players into the system and that led to some of the defensive lapses as giving up two power play goals and a short handed goal is not indicative of an RIT team.
I talked a bit with the RPI fans before the game about all things RPI and RIT. We talked about all the penalties this year, the folks I talked to, long time season ticket holders were not happy. I brought the subject up of any spots opening up in the ECAC when ND leaves Hockey East. The consensus was no, that no one will leave the ECAC to go to Hockey East. One thing that I thought was very interesting. One of the guys mentioned that he would like to see the Ivies leave altogether and the remaining ECAC teams merging with Altlantic Hockey into two divisions. The feeling was that we all compete for the same players so it made sense. He said as far as a prediction to who will win the game he said the teams were the same talent wise and whoever played better would win. Saturday night that was RPI.
As far as the rink and environment, I've been to lots of games at HFH and think it compares similarly to RIT as far as student involvement. The RIT corner crew is more organized but the RPI students kept the chants and taunts going all game. Plus there were 4000 plus fans there with a good bunch of RIT fans but any cheering for RIT was drowned out by the RPI students. I sat in front of the RPI band and they seemed to be both band and corner crew as they led most chants. One particular chant that I hadn't heard before was "Safety school", "Safety school", "Safety School"...... when the game was no longer in reach which was funny, edgy, and harsh all at the same time. I hope the Corner Crew will return the favor next season with something just as cutting when RPI visits RIT. I didn't think there was any animosity between the two teams/schools, lots of respect, many players probably
know each other from juniors..and lots of fans probably have ties to both schools like I do..
