RIT Forward Shawn Cameron (15) celebrates after scoring during the homecoming ice hockey game against Colgate University at Blue Cross Arena in Rochester, N.Y. on Oct., 20, 2018. RIT defeated Colgate University 6-1. Photo by Jesse Wolfe
Students watch the RIT Men's Division 1 ice hockey game against Canisius College at Gene Polisseni Center in Henrietta, N.Y. on Nov. 13, 2018. RIT defeated Canisius College 2-0. Photo by Jesse Wolfe
RIT forward, Erik Brown (16), and Canisius Defensemen, Logan Gestro (4), battle for the puck during a RIT Men's Division 1 ice hockey game at Gene Polisseni Center in Henrietta, N.Y. on Nov. 13, 2018. RIT defeated Canisius 2-0. Photo by Jesse Wolfe
RIT Men's Division I hockey team is introduced before their game against the Sacred Heart University Pioneers at the Gene Polisseni Center on Dec. 7. 2018. Photo by Jesse Wolfe
Student in the Corner Crew celebrate RIT's score during the RIT Men's Division I ice hockey against Sacred Heart on Dec. 7. 2018. The teams played a series Dec. 7, 2018, and Dec. 8, 2018. RIT lost to Sacred Heart 4-3 in overtime Dec. 7, 2018, while losing 6-4 on Dec. 8. 2018. Photo by Jesse Wolfe
RIT forward Abbott Girduckis (7) and Army West Point Defenseman, Matt Berkovitz (26), battle for the puck during the RIT Men's Division 1 ice hockey game at Gene Polisseni Center in Henrietta, N.Y. on Jan. 25, 2019. RIT won both games of the series on Jan. 25 and Jan. 26, 2019 by a score of 4-2. Photo by Jesse Wolfe
RIT forward Jake Hamacher (14) passes the puck to his teammate during RIT Men's Division 1 ice hockey game against Army West Point at Gene Polisseni Center in Henrietta, N.Y. on Jan. 25, 2019. RIT won both games of the series on Jan. 25 and Jan. 26, 2019 by a score of 4-2. Photo by Jesse Wolfe
A young spectator watches RIT Men's Division 1 ice hockey team play Army West Point at Gene Polisseni Center in Henrietta, N.Y. on Jan. 26, 2019. RIT won both games of the series on Jan. 25 and Jan. 26, 2019 by a score of 4-2. Photo by Jesse Wolfe
Students stand for the National Anthem before the RIT Men's Division 1 ice hockey game against Arizona State University at Gene Polisseni Center in Henrietta, N.Y. on Feb, 1, 2019. The teams played a series on Feb. 1 and Feb. 2, 2019 at the Gene Polisseni Center. RIT lost 6-1 in the first game, and lost 4-2 in the second game. Photo by Jesse Wolfe
Robert Morris University's forward, Luke Lynch (28), and RIT's forward, Alden Dupuis (21), race to the puck after the face-off during the Men's Division 1 ice hockey game at Gene Polisseni Center in Henrietta, N.Y. on Feb. 22, 2019. The teams played a series Feb. 22 and Feb. 23, 2019. The Tigers won the first match, 5-3, but they tied the second match, 2-2. Photo by Jesse Wolfe
RIT Corner Crew celebrates after RIT Men's Division 1 ice hockey team scored a goal against Robert Morris University at Gene Polisseni Center in Henrietta, N.Y. on Feb. 22, 2019. RIT defeated Robert Morris University 5-3. Photo by Jesse Wolfe
RIT forward Shawn Cameron (15) skates into Canisius College's goalie, Matt Lad (33), during the RIT Men's Division 1 ice hockey game at Gene Polisseni Center in Henrietta, N.Y. on March 2, 2019. Canisius beat the Tigers 2-1. Photo by Jesse Wolfe
RIT's Corner Crew dances to the song "Jump Around" while holding up cardboard cutouts of the players on RIT Men's Division 1 ice hockey team during RIT's Senior Night at Gene Polisseni Center in Henrietta, N.Y. on March 2, 2019. Photo by Jesse Wolfe
A defining moment of the season was the Brick City Homecoming game where the Tigers faced the Colgate University Raiders. The game was played at Blue Cross Arena back on Oct. 20, 2018. Students and family members packed the venue to help cheer the Tigers to victory. The momentum from this win carried the Tigers to later wins in the season, but it wasn’t always smooth sailing.
Ending 2018, the Tigers faced the Air Force Academy. Starting the two game series on rough ice, the Tigers fought hard; yet, Air Force managed to get the edge, claiming victory over the Tigers 2-1. The second game brought even more hardships for RIT as scoring seemed to become a thing of the past. Each attempted shot was deflected, whereas Air Force managed to sneak in three goals and defeat the Tigers for a second time.
Through the losses, the Tigers knew they had to turn their losing streak around. Bouncing out of their slump, the Tigers went on to tie with the Niagara University Purple Eagles before winning against them in the next game. This victory gave RIT the needed boost to finish the season strong.
With both struggles and accomplishments this season, our men’s hockey team showed us what it means to persevere through hard times. Congratulations on a well-fought season, Tigers! We look forward to the journeys you will take us on in the next season.
