Men’s hockey looks to extend seven-game winning streak this weekend

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Junior defenseman Dan Ringwald and the Tigers look to stay hot this weekend when they host against American International.

The RIT Tigers men’s hockey team looks to extend its Division I team record seven-game winning streak as it hosts the American International Yellowjackets at 7:05 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Jan. 16–17, in Ritter Arena. The Tigers hold sole possession of second place in the American Hockey Association standings with 23 points.

RIT (12-9-1, 11-4-1 AHA) scored 12 goals in a weekend sweep over Connecticut last Friday and Saturday and has scored 33 times during its winning streak. On Saturday, all 12 forwards in the lineup recorded at least a point in the 7-4 win. Anton Kharin scored two goals, while Scott Knowles tallied his first collegiate goal and Dan Ringwald tied a career-high with four assists in the win. The night before, the line of Brennan Sarazin, Tyler Brenner and Cameron Burt combined for eight points in a 5-3 win.

The Tigers lead all of Division I with seven shorthanded goals and have outscored opponents 46-29 in nine home games this season. RIT is 7-2-0 at home in 2008-2009.

American International (4-16-1, 3-7-1 AHA) is looking to snap an eight-game winless streak. Last weekend, the Yellowjackets dropped a pair of home games to Holy Cross, both by identical 5-1 scores. Nielsson Arcibal leads the team in scoring with seven assists and 10 points. Tom Mele has seven goals. Goaltender Dan Ramirez, a Rochester native, has played 15 games in net, recording a 3.69 goals against average and .889 save percentage.

RIT leads the all-time series between the two schools 10-2-1 and is 7-2-0 against American International since moving to Division I in 2005. Last season, the two teams split four contests, with each team winning at home and on the road. RIT notched 5-0 and 5-2 wins, while the Yellowjackets won 4-1 and 3-1.

Tickets for this weekend’s games are available at the Gordon Field House and Activities Center Box Office or by phone at (585) 475-4121. Fans can also purchase tickets via ticketmaster.com. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for RIT faculty, staff and alumni and $5 for students with ID.

Saturday’s game will be aired live on Time Warner Cable Sports channel 26, while Friday’s game will be shown on tape delay. Gene Battaglia and John Ditullio will bring you the action.

Games also can be heard on WITR-FM (89.7). For more, visit RIT Athletics.