>>>>>RIT TIGERS... The Polisseum, just like the Ritter only more of us!<<<<<

[Ed Trefzger]

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!<<<<<

Same players on the two units since the 1st game.

Not true at all. They switched from a three-forward, two-defenseman unit to four forwards. And six different forwards have been among those four and three different defensemen have been on the first unit. Second unit has had changes as well.

 

[blazer777]

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!<<<<<

We're also very spoiled because we had DeMike and Madolora back to back, two of the best goalies the AHA has seen. To follow that up with Watson, Ruby, and Rotolo is a tough task and RIT's run and gun style doesn't work with just an average goalie.

Well, your correct here, it seems that a lot of the goals that they've let in are not the result of stellar offensive play but a breakdown of the defense and what would have been a fantastic save in previous year ends up being a goal! Less of those and the team would be looking at a bye-week coming up. The defense seems to have gotten their act together on most games but the offense needs to be more consistent on both nights to get them in the top 4 in the coming weeks.

 

[Chris Lerch]

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!<<<<<

A perspective of the weekend from someone who was there:

1. Holy Cross was much more aggressive offensively on Friday. They won most of the battles, especially after the first period when the Tigers were less physical. Scott Pooley was a force, as he was in the series at Polisseni. He did not play on Saturday and that was huge. On Saturday, Holy Cross assumed a more defensive posture than it did on Friday. The Crusaders really packed it in around Ginn. They did that Friday as well (especially in the third period), but not to the extent they did Saturday, and never opened up even when down 2-0. It's hard to get shots on net when you start 185 feet away every time you get the puck. That IMO was the main reason for the low shot total.

2. On Saturday, Holy Cross didn't pull Ginn until very late (something like 24 seconds left) even though it had two previous possessions in the RIT zone with under 2 minutes to play.

3. Ruby made the first save every time on Saturday (obviously) while on Friday Rotolo allowed two goals on odd-man rushes, both shots that he saw cleanly and had no one between himself and the shooter. That was reminiscent of the Niagara game on Saturday. Two of the three goals Ginn allowed were on rebounds and the other a seeing-eye turnaround shot through traffic that he didn't pick up until it was too late and between his pads.

These were low-scoring, playoff-style games that we're going to see more of down the stretch. RIT needs to play that style the last two weekends as RMU and Mercyhurst have the top two offenses in the conference and I don't think RIT beats them in a high-scoring, wide-open game.

 

[RIT Winters]

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!<<<<<

A perspective of the weekend from someone who was there:

3. Ruby made the first save every time on Saturday (obviously) while on Friday Rotolo allowed two goals on odd-man rushes, both shots that he saw cleanly and had no one between himself and the shooter. That was reminiscent of the Niagara game on Saturday. Two of the three goals Ginn allowed were on rebounds and the other a seeing-eye turnaround shot through traffic that he didn't pick up until it was too late and between his pads.

These were low-scoring, playoff-style games that we're going to see more of down the stretch. RIT needs to play that style the last two weekends as RMU and Mercyhurst have the top two offenses in the conference and I don't think RIT beat them in a high-scoring, wide-open game.

Just a point of curiosity, how many good/clean odd man rushes did Ruby have to deal with on Saturday? From your own description it sounds like Holy Cross started every possession at the wrong end of the ice and were not aggressive at all...evidenced as you mentioned by their shot total. I can't imagine a team playing that style had much in the way of odd man rushes/breakaways that Ruby had to contend with???

I guess the point is many people continue to be down on Rotolo for giving up "clean" goals on great offensive opportunities, I'm not sure Ruby has evidenced himself as being more skilled at these situations. We all know Ruby is more prone to the truly soft goal, is that better or worse than not being able to reliably make the big save?

The answer is probably that there is no answer. Rotolo will always leave us wishing that he had made that one miracle save to win the game, whereas Ruby will all leave us wishing he hadn't given up the softy early in the game to deflate the whole team.

I believe that if the team plays well, Rotolo gives us a better chance to win simply because less defensive lapses means less odd man/breakaway situations. Whereas Ruby has had a penchant for allowing soft goals regardless of how RIT is playing, and they can be very deflating. However at this point it's tough to really be confident in either goalie in a playoff scenario.

All this makes me wonder why MacLean doesn't ever get more looks. He played great in his one and only start this season. It's too late now, but surely in the early part of the season..

 

[Chris Lerch]

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 counted five really good scoring chances for Holy Cross on Saturday. One was a toe save on a nice move by a CHC player in front. Three were odd-man rushes that resulted in one-on-one shooting situations. All went glove side and all were stopped, although not held on to - they went off Ruby's glove and into the corner, so no rebound attempts. One got behind him but hit a post.

It was another solid game and numbers don't lie. He's allowing under two goals per game in conference play. He was clearly the better goaltender last weekend, but of course that may not mean much heading into this weekend. Rotolo struggled against RMU earlier this season, allowing six goals on 22 shots and was pulled after two periods. Ruby allowed four goals on 42 shots the next night.

 

[Tom Naeger]

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!<<<<<

Okay, maybe some stats will bring some sanity into this debate. The idea that Ruby and Rotolo are medicore is absurd and I disagree with the soft goal notion. Now doubt there been a soft goal or two, but not nearly as many as in years past. Soft goals will happen, I've seen Mads, DeMike, Menard, Guimond, Euverman, and Morris give them up. The idea is to limit them.

Lets compare their combined stats vs. the rest of the league. (including MacLean small sample)

1 - Canisius 2.11
2 - RMU 2.32
3 - Bentley 2.50
4 - RIT 2.52
5 - Holy Cross 2.54
6 - Mercyhurst 2.95
7 - Air Force 3.04
8 - Army 3.13
9 - SHU 3.87
10 - AIC 4.10
11 - Niagara 4.39

1 - RMU .928
2 - Holy Cross .922
3 - Bentley .919
4 - Canisius .917
5 - Mercyhurst .911
6 - RIT .908
7 - Army .899
8 - SHU .895
9 - AIC .894
10 - Air Force .889
11 - Niagara .885

Ironically they average out to about where they are in the standings. Ideally, I'd like that Saver percentage closer to .920, but it's far from horrible.

Last year the team total was 3.29 with a Save percentage of .899 and a GAA of 3.29. Ruby has vastly improved from his .892 and GAA 3.74. This year he is at .920 and a 2.14 GAA, in league of .928 and a 1.89 GAA. His number this years are in the neigborhood of Shane Madolora. And let me just say clearly, the team in front of Mads was much better overall compare to the rest of the talent of the league. Of course since Ruby struggled behind some of the worst defensive play I've ever seen at in the RIT D-I.

I think Rotolo is where I except him to be and maybe a little ahead of schedule. He really wasn't suppose to be in the conversation for the number 1 guy till next year when he was originally brought in. Ruby is finally playing like the goaltender we thought we had when he arrived on campus. I am really leaning for just riding Ruby, if Wayne wants to split the two over the remaining regular season games and see what happens fine. But at this moment I think Ruby is the better goaltender and the best chance to win come playoff time...

 

[lmg6841]

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!<<<<<

We're 46th in pair wise. Who cares if our middle of the pack AHC goalies stats and team standings have improved marginally over last season?

This is the 3rd season we're trying to dig out of our slump and it still looks like there's a lot of problems starting at the blue line and in net. Couple that with early season scoring drouts and we're the bottom 10 team we deserve to be.

 

[Ed Trefzger]

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!<<<<<

Quick quiz: Which AHC team has the No. 1 goalie in save percentage? Which team is third in defense and third in offense?

Bonus points: Which team has fans who another coach in the league, based on this forum, calls idiots?

 

[Tom Naeger]

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!<<<<<

Bonus points: Which team has fans who another coach in the league, based on this forum, calls idiots?

Brain Dickerson???

I know all the AHA coaches love me

 

[lmg6841]

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!<<<<<

Quick quiz: Which AHC team has the No. 1 goalie in save percentage? Which team is third in defense and third in offense?

Bonus points: Which team has fans who another coach in the league, based on this forum, calls idiots?

Yes, a .93 save % with a .500 record. Really productive. Average goals per game and goals against are fun stats to look at, but they're not producing enough wins. Clearly I was talking about the aggregated stats across Ruby and Rotolo (shown below) that put our goal tending closer to 5 out of 11.

Sorry for being pessimistic, or realistic, but this team is struggling in college hockey for a school whose dedicated to it. If we make it to Blue Cross Arena this year, I think a few of us will be pleasantly surprised.

 

[komey1]

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!<<<<<

We're 46th in pair wise. Who cares if our middle of the pack AHC goalies stats and team standings have improved marginally over last season?

This is the 3rd season we're trying to dig out of our slump and it still looks like there's a lot of problems starting at the blue line and in net.

I care. I'm curious how you can call Ruby's AHC goalie stats middle of the road. Check the numbers for yourself - or go down the numbers we posted.

I think the defense has improved. The only gripe I have about them in general is that the don't shoot enough. I consider it a positive that there are no senior defensemen so that they will take this year, and improve upon it next year.

If we took last year's offense in front of this year's defense, RIT would be right there with Robert Morris. This year, there is a dominant MGM line, and scattered production. Schuler has been out most of the year; Skirving's numbers are considerably down from last year. As mediocre on defense as they were, Noyes and Descoteaux had 26 and 18 points respectively. The lack of secondary scoring - especially on the power play, has put RIT in the position they are in.

Four wins guarantees a top 4 spot. The team needs to focus on getting them.

 

[komey1]

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!<<<<<

Yes, a .93 save % with a .500 record.

Maybe Ruby needs to score goals to make you happy. I see it has he has been holding up his end of the bargain.

 

[lmg6841]

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!<<<<<

Maybe Ruby needs to score goals to make you happy. I see it has he has been holding up his end of the bargain.

Not complaining about Ruby, or Rotolo. Complaining about the team not being able to play 60 or even 45 minute long games. We have one great scoring line this season, decent goal tending, and shotty everything else. There isn't much keeping RIT from being a great team, yet we're just not.

 

[RIT Winters]

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!<<<<<

Quick quiz: Which AHC team has the No. 1 goalie in save percentage? Which team is third in defense and third in offense?

Bonus points: Which team has fans who another coach in the league, based on this forum, calls idiots?

I'm just glad other teams coaches read the troll boards. I think there's only one other AHC team (Bentley) that even has a thread here....so if we're idiots what does that make everyone else? Nonexistent.

 

[TigerFan86-87]

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!<<<<<

We're 46th in pair wise. ..... we're the bottom 10 team we deserve to be.

There are 59 D-I programs, not 55.

Seeing as how AHC is significantly the 6th best conference, it's actually kind of an achievement for a middle of the pack team to rank even that high nationally. It's a losing battle at this point to look at AHC teams' PWR rankings as though moving into the top 10 or 20 is something that can be achieved by more than one team at a time, if even that. The best way to rate RIT, or any other AHC team, is really only against the other AHC teams, their only comparable competition.

 

[lmg6841]

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!<<<<<

There are 59 D-I programs, not 55.

Seeing as how AHC is significantly the 6th best conference, it's actually kind of an achievement for a middle of the pack team to rank even that high nationally. It's a losing battle at this point to look at AHC teams' PWR rankings as though moving into the top 10 or 20 is something that can be achieved by more than one team at a time, if even that. The best way to rate RIT, or any other AHC team, is really only against the other AHC teams, their only comparable competition.

Thanks for the correction. Top 20 programs are really good programs, and I don't expect RIT to be sitting there season after season. I do expect a program who has it's institutes proclaimed backing, Frozen Four recruiting momentum, and the momentum of a new facility to be consistently in the 30-40 rankings. If we continue to judge ourselves versus AHC competition we'll just be another AHC team, and not a national competitor.

I'm not sure what measure of success RIT or Wilson uses, but I see any non-top 3 finish in the league or no BCA appearance as a failure. I know we're not out of those possibilities this season and I remain hopeful.

 

[cplinford]

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 just glad other teams coaches read the troll boards. I think there's only one other AHC team (Bentley) that even has a thread here....so if we're idiots what does that make everyone else? Nonexistent.

Lets start calling for a coaching change and really get things moving here

 

[RIT Winters]

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!<<<<<

Lets start calling for a coaching change and really get things moving here

There were some on this forum last season who began grumblings to this effect.

 

[komey1]

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!<<<<<

Not complaining about Ruby, or Rotolo. Complaining about the team not being able to play 60 or even 45 minute long games. We have one great scoring line this season, decent goal tending, and shotty everything else. There isn't much keeping RIT from being a great team, yet we're just not.

I agree with this. For some reason, RIT has a hard time consistently putting together a string of full 60 minute games. So many points have been given away due to lack of not playing a full game. And how big does that official's bad call at Air Force the second night loom now?

 

[komey1]

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!<<<<<

Top 20 programs are really good programs, and I don't expect RIT to be sitting there season after season. ....If we continue to judge ourselves versus AHC competition we'll just be another AHC team, and not a national competitor.

Considering RIT is in the AHC, who do you wish to judge RIT against - especially if you don't expect RIT to be a consistent top 20 team?