Re: >>>>>RIT TIGERS... The Polisseum, just like the Ritter only more of us!<<<<<
Re: >>>>>RIT TIGERS... The Polisseum, just like the Ritter only more of us!<<<<<
I'm not sure I would call what Mitchell and McGowan are doing is "killing it" but they do deserve some of the credit.
I went and did a quick look at the stats for the season. I totaled up the even strength stats. Only even strength because on PP and PK the players are potentially not typical linemates a high percentage of the time compared to even strength.
McGowan has scored 4 goals. Mitchell has assisted on 2. Garbowsky has assisted on 2.
Mitchell has 0 goals.
Garbowsky has 12 goals. Mitchell has assisted on 8. McGowan has assisted on 5.
Based upon this and not the "eye test", I would agree that not giving credit to Mitchell and McGowan wouldn't be fair. But I would argue that Garbowsky is making his linemates better and not the other way around.
Matt actually laid it out pretty well. I do think Mitchell & McGown are playing well and do not mean to diminish their contributions. They have generated a ton of great scoring chances. My only concern is like the rest of the roster not named Garbowsky its been a little frustrating when looking at the scoring chances that turn into goals. They have scored more than the rest of the team, but giving some of the chances they've had, if they pop a few more of those chances into the net this line really could be in the argument for best in the nation, besides the typical AHA is a weak league retort.
I think people reflect to negatively on a player carrying the team. That happens at times in pro sports and it doesn't mean that other players are playing poorly. However, there is no legit argument that without Garbowsky's eye popping production this team would be in a far different part of the standings than they are now. At this moment I think Garbowsky is a legit Hobey Baker candidate giving not only his numbers but how he is carrying this team. Now to actually win it, I think this improbable scenario would have to continue. Since I've followed Tigers Hockey (since 98-99) I've never seen one guy lead a team in goal scoring like this. I've seen some goal scorers who probably were even better scorers than Garbo. But do not every recall an all most double digit gap lead that Garbo has on the rest of the team. Garbosky has accounted for a third of RIT goal scoring
Now lets not take away from the other story of this team. They have improved, quietly, but drastically on defense. I really think we finally had some addition by subtracting on the blue line and some of the freshmen players are playing outstanding! Now I could take a victory lap, but I have to admit as I said I wasn't ready to sell the farm on him, but Jordan Ruby is actually playing like the guy we thought we had when we recruited him. This is why I felt there was no clear number one coming into this year and it would have been a mistake to give Rotolo the number one job. Both guys came in even in my view, and Ruby has played better than I even thought was best case scenario for him. At the same time, I am not ready to give up on Mike either. If Jordan falters I think there is a great fall back option. Feels good to have.
What really makes me feel positive is
IF Garbo can get at least half his production in the second half. We get a few more guys to bury the chances they should. The defense-men should just keep getting better, and solid goal tending continues then this team will finish within the top 5 of the AHA and I think have as good of a chance as anyone to beat Robert Morris in a one game championship.
One last thought, do you think we would get sued if we start calling our top line the MGM line?
