Re: >>> RIT Tigers 2018/2019 - Time For The Tigers to Roar <<<
I think the HarborCenter is still a band-aide fix for a bigger issue. The AIC/RMU was empty, credit to the RMU and members of the Corner Crew who go their early for providing some atmosphere. The Atmosphere for the Niagara/RIT did feel like an old D-III game, but again felt like an old D-III game. Still felt like a bit of a step backwards. Not to mention if this game is played at Blue Cross you probably draw at least 5,000 fans. Now the cost to play at BCA vs. HC I don't know. One last thing, someone was way overzelous with security last placing a security guy right in front of the crew against the glass. In 21 years of College Hockey I never seen that and it was not necessary and lead to more shenanigans in the crowd that distracted from a good playoff hockey game. So Thumbs down on who ever made that decision, don't go looking for trouble...
The game was a good Playoff hockey game, 0-0 game are normally horrible, hockey is not soccer, so it wasn't great but was still entertaining. I felt this game as a microcosm of RIT's season. They have been pretty dang good all year and on the brink of being a really special team, but just could not get over that hump. RIT controlled, no dominated the first period but as we have seen many times this year just couldn't make the dent on the scoreboard they needed to when they had the better of the play. You just can't expect to win many playoffs game when you don't finish the chances you've made. In the second I don't no if Niagara made an adjustment or just finally got to their game plan going. But they changed the game by pressuring the especially bigger and slower RIT defensemen. I don't think RIT skated the puck out of their own zone from the second period through the rest of the game. On my wish list for next season will be a more mobile defense. RIT throw way too many pucks out of their own zone, and everything turned in to long break out passes that usually didn't connect and at best was getting just tipped deep into the Niagara zone. There seem to be no adjustment by RIT on that and that was disappointing. Niagara basically used the last two periods to claw their way back even in shots and played the game I think they wanted to play. RIT top line just didn't get enough going. The one play that sticks out in my mind is when Brown stole a puck inside the Niagara line and was was 3 on 1 with his other two forwards, he was trying to get space and just didn't figure out what he needed to do and one of the best scorning chances in the period pass by with no shot on net. Get into OT your at a coin flip and it didn't go the Tigers way.
This team did take a step forward this year, as far as I am concern they should be in the Final Four every year so getting back there after a 2 year absence is a big accomplishment. However, the league title was in their reach and I felt they had the talent, but just didn't get it done. It's a small senior glass, but you do lose your top 3 forwards. There are plenty of players behind them that have the potential to achieve even more than what the players leaving did, but they do need to up their games big time next season for this program to achieve their goals. I'll take a look at the incoming glass and put it all together later...
Heartbreaking loss is never easy, but the Tigers didn't leave anything on the ice. There was no passengers and this team should be proud of the year they had, especially the seniors. The seniors leaving we thank, but they are getting off easy, there will be even harder work to do for next season...
