Re: >>> RIT Tigers 2018/2019 - Time For The Tigers to Roar <<<
Watched a replay of the game on NESN. NE goal #1 appears to be a no goal as it lay on its edge on the goal line. Even the announcers, after watching the replay thought so. The call on the tigers last attempt with the empty net appears to be a good call. Replay showed the goalie covering up the puck while it was on the line. Wasn't clear if it went complete over or not.
I want to start this by saying shame on the league for not issuing a statement. This is my biggest complaints in College Hockey and with College hockey media. This situation deserves an official statement. Look I am not looking for them to publicly flog the officials, but an explanation of the call is not only owed to the players/coaches, but also the fans.
I was in the arena for the game and of course unaware of the issue with the first goal till I left. Putting the pieces together, the referee clearly called it a goal. How he was so sure we will never know. So we are now dealing with the standard of having to have "indisputable video evidence" to over turn the call. From the Twitter video I saw the overhead was inconclusive. I think that video was compressed to be on Twitter and I wonder if the video the refs was better, if not then Northeastern needs to install better cameras. The side view seemed clear that the puck landed on the line and did not completely cross, I would like a clear overhead shot to establish "indisputable video evidence. Really would like to see a better quality overhead, but perhaps they could not tell and thus stuck with the initial ruling. One thing that drives me crazy is this is the same kind of call they overturned in the North Dakota Regional game where a OT winner was overturned based on an offside which I thought looked off side but was not indisputable. The NCAA has failed in my opinion to have a clear uniform interpretation on video replay and needs to address that.
On the RIT Goal that was deemed no goal, I agree that it was close, but I do not see enough evidence to overturn the call. As you said it wasn't clear.
On the overall game itself. I was really happy the way the team responded to being down 2-0 early on what appear to be a couple of bad bounces. They dominated Northeastern in the second and deserved the lead. My real disappointment was for about 10 minutes in the mid-third Northeastern throw the kitchen sink and the Tigers had no response. They could not get the puck to the net at all and frankly failed to answer the bell. Until Wayne made a great decision to pull Drackett early (2 mins to go) and RIT dominated Northeastern for those 2 minutes and did everything but score. Before that replay, I think an initial shot got deflected and if it just rolls the other way was a tie game. So good on the Tigers for that, this young team is no doubt dangerous.
Upcoming games before Christmas can really make RIT a front runner in the league. Showdown this weekend with Air Force, then we will see Sacred Heart a team they should take at least 3 points from, but we know SHU can sting you if you do not show up. Then there next 3 all against Niagara who for the second straight year are raising eyebrows in the first half. That will be interesting for them, especially if RIT can get the better of Air Force and Sacred Heart, to see if the Purple Eagles are for real or are heading for a repeat performance of a second half collapse.
Two Rochester players commit to:
Ritter to Dartmouth-Ritter played for Pittsford H.S. and Rochester midget last year. Now at a prep school.
MacDonald to RPI
RIT does not go after younger players but this must sting a bit. McDonald is playing for a midget team in Rochester and is going to an Engineering school.
ECAC and Scholarship!
Don't get me started on ECAC and Scholarships. People get mad at me when I express this opinion because everyone loved the last President, but since building the arena the administration at RIT still seems to be a great cheerleader, but I still see one big financial commitment they need to take with this program that they seem unwilling to do. I'll try and keep an open mind, but the new president seemed to put some window dressing on ideas for the Athletic Department and stopped short of offering the red meat that so many of us want.
Wayne Wilson made a mention at an Alumni event last year that he not a fan of locking up young players, but did mention it more of a reality these days. There has been an uptick, all be it a small one, in locking up younger players. They have Dimitri Mikrogiannakis verbally committed for 2020-2021. Two Freshmen on this years team did verbally commit in 2016, Will Calverley (5/7/2016) and Zach Salloum (12/11/2016). They also did have Sam Kozlowski (10/16/2016), but he did not make it to RIT. These are Verbal Commitments and not binding to the players so there is more risk to the colleges. Best example for RIT is Reed Delainey who in 2014 verbally committed for the 2017-2018 season, and never played a game for the Tigers. Some guys will de-commit and go elsewhere, Gordie Balhorn did that in 2015 and went to the WHL with Kelowna. There was also a guy who I believe was a local Rochester guy who de-committed and went to Saint Lawrence, but I am blanking on his name.
So does this sting? I don't know, we are talking about 16 year old, lots can happen. I often laugh when the crew calls a local NY boy a traitor in introductions. There is so much more that goes into recruiting then just where the guys is from.
