Men's Hockey | 2/11/2014 2:02:00 PM

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ROCHESTER, NY – The RIT men's hockey team wraps up a seven-game home stand this weekend, as Atlantic Hockey Association leader Mercyhurst comes to Ritter Arena for a pair of games at 7:05 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
 
Austin Spencer Collision and Tim Horton's are Friday's game sponsors, while Wilshire Catering and Zwiegle's will sponsor Saturday's contest.
 
There are just three regular season home games remaining at Ritter Arena before the Tigers move into the 4,200-seat Gene Polisseni Center in 2014-15. This weekend, RIT will "Remember Ritter Arena", with a handful of exhibits in the arena to help capture the storied 46-year history of Ritter Arena. This is the final weekend that both the men's and women's teams (vs. Robert Morris) will be home at the same time.

With just six games left in the regular season, the Tigers currently have 17 points in AHA play, which puts them in a three-way tie for eighth place with Holy Cross and American International. Mercyhurst is first in the league standings with 30 points. If the season ended before this weekend's games, RIT would host Holy Cross in a first round series.
 
Zeta Tau Alpha and the Tigers are collaborating to present "Hockey With Heart" on Friday night. Throughout the week customizable valentines are available to send to your favorite player or your sweetheart for the cost of just $1. During the game ZTA will also be raffling off two awesome prizes: the opportunity to ride on the bus with the hockey team to their away game against Canisius on Feb. 28, and a customizable RIT hockey jersey. Face painting will also be offered. All funds raised will help support the American Heart Association!
 
The Tigers went 0-1-1 last weekend at home against Robert Morris, skating to a 2-2 draw on Friday and falling 5-1 on Saturday. On Friday, Mike Rotolo (Rochester, NY/Cedar Rapids Roughriders) made a career-high 40 saves. Mike Colavecchia (Maple, Ontario/Lindsay Muskies) leads the team in scoring with 26 points on 12 goals and 14 assists, while Todd Skriving and Greg Noyes (Lucan, Ontario/Salmon Arm Silverbacks) have 21 points apiece.
 
RIT has traditionally had strong special teams and this year is no exception. RIT's power-play is currently sixth nationally, converting at 22.8 percent. The RIT penalty-killing unit has allowed just three power-play goals over the last eight games, killing off 35 of its opponents last 38 chances with the man-advantage.
 
Mercyhurst enters the weekend as the top team in the AHA standings with 30 points despite getting swept at Air Force last weekend by scores of 5-3 and 2-0. Matthew Zay leads the team in scoring with 39 points on 16 goals and 23 assists, while Daniel O'Donoghue is right behind with 34 points. The Lakers have six players with at least 20 points on the season. Mercyhurst is outscoring its opponents, 106-97 this season, including 78-48 in AHA play. In net, Jimmy Sarjeant has played 24 games for the Lakers this season, recording a 14-4-4 record with a 2.33 goals against average and .932 save percentage. Jordan Tibbett is 1-8-1 with a 4.37 goals against average and .893 save percentage.
 
The Tigers are 30-16-6 all-time against the Lakers, including a 14-7-3 mark since 2005. The two teams were also long time Division III rivals as part of the ECAC West conference. Earlier in the season, Mercyhurst defeated RIT at the Mercyhurst Ice Center, 3-2 on Nov. 8. Matt Garbowsky (St. George, Ontario/Powell River Kings) and Mike Colavecchia (Maple, Ontario/Lindsay Muskies) scored first period goals for the Tigers before the Lakers rallied with two goals in 1:14 during the second period to get the win. Jimmy Sarjeant made 37 saves for the Lakers.

Tickets are available for both games at the Gordon Field House and Activities Center Box Office or by phone at (585) 475-4121. Fans can also purchase tickets at www.rithockey.com. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for RIT faculty, staff and alumni and $5 for students with ID. Fans can also buy special reserved seats in Section 100 or 101 for $13 (adults), $11 (faculty/staff/alumni) or $8 (students). Buying a reserved section ticket will guarantee you a seat for the game.

Both games will be aired live on Time Warner Cable Sports Channel 26 with Gene Battaglia and John DiTullio bringing you the action from Ritter Arena. In addition, both games will be broadcast over the airwaves on WITR 89.7 FM and witr.rit.edu and on America One. Live stats are also available for both contests.

Come out and support the Tigers in their final season at Ritter Arena. Next season, the Tigers move in to the 4,200-seat Gene Polisseni Center.