Happy Thanksgiving
On USCHO, there is a thread about what in College Hockey we are thankful for. This is what I posted:
I'm thankful for being DI. When I grew up, I wanted to be a fan of a big time school and go to lots of games. Granted, that was supposed to be football and basketball, as those were the games that were on when I grew up. When it came time to choose a college, I chose RIT after 4 years of Community College (2 degrees). While I would get to go to a couple AHL games a year, I really developed my love for hockey at RIT from the get go. I went to practically every home game in my years there even though the team went through some of their leaner years. They started getting back to some of their successes of yesteryear my senior year when they made it to the DIII Championship game, only to lose. I got a job in the area, and kept going to the games. RIT had many wonderful seasons and was big time for DIII.
Then the day came when it was announced that RIT was joining Atlantic Hockey. There was a lot of discussion regarding that on USCHO. I admit I was on the fence on how I felt. RIT was going from a team that was generally a force in DIII but never good enough to win the National Championship to a completely new level. The press conferece reasurred me that steps would be taken that would make sure that RIT was going to be more than DI in name only and planned to be competitive. After that, I was excited and hoped that RIT would end their season with a bang and take the DIII title. The team fell apart that year after the announcement and didn't get to the conference tournament finals for the first time in 12 years.
Last year was amazing as RIT held it's own in every game and never really got blown out. But the high point was October 28, 2006. The day that RIT announced that they had arrived. RIT beat then #18 St. Lawrence 3-2. I think the rest of the teams on the schedule took notice. But RIT played hard even though they only won 1 other DI game the rest of the year. I saw a game at the famed Lynah Rink. Even though the students were on break, it was still a fun experience.
Now RIT enters their first year of conference play in Atlantic Hockey. RIT cannot play in the conference tournament yet, even though the tournament will be held at the Blue Cross Arena. Coach Wilson wants to win the regular season title. RIT has already matched their DI win total from last year this year and are 5th in the confernece standings. They have a good chance to double if not triple their DI win total with arguably some of the best goaltenders in the conference. I feel that RIT will soon be a top program in the conference. While many of you don't feel that the AHA is big time, consider this perspective.
In essence, I am thankful to have seen this dream come true.
Happy Thanksgiving. For the first time in a couple years, RIT does not play the weekend after Thanksgiving, giving them time to prepare for Holy Cross. For those travelling, drive safe.
I'm thankful for being DI. When I grew up, I wanted to be a fan of a big time school and go to lots of games. Granted, that was supposed to be football and basketball, as those were the games that were on when I grew up. When it came time to choose a college, I chose RIT after 4 years of Community College (2 degrees). While I would get to go to a couple AHL games a year, I really developed my love for hockey at RIT from the get go. I went to practically every home game in my years there even though the team went through some of their leaner years. They started getting back to some of their successes of yesteryear my senior year when they made it to the DIII Championship game, only to lose. I got a job in the area, and kept going to the games. RIT had many wonderful seasons and was big time for DIII.
Then the day came when it was announced that RIT was joining Atlantic Hockey. There was a lot of discussion regarding that on USCHO. I admit I was on the fence on how I felt. RIT was going from a team that was generally a force in DIII but never good enough to win the National Championship to a completely new level. The press conferece reasurred me that steps would be taken that would make sure that RIT was going to be more than DI in name only and planned to be competitive. After that, I was excited and hoped that RIT would end their season with a bang and take the DIII title. The team fell apart that year after the announcement and didn't get to the conference tournament finals for the first time in 12 years.
Last year was amazing as RIT held it's own in every game and never really got blown out. But the high point was October 28, 2006. The day that RIT announced that they had arrived. RIT beat then #18 St. Lawrence 3-2. I think the rest of the teams on the schedule took notice. But RIT played hard even though they only won 1 other DI game the rest of the year. I saw a game at the famed Lynah Rink. Even though the students were on break, it was still a fun experience.
Now RIT enters their first year of conference play in Atlantic Hockey. RIT cannot play in the conference tournament yet, even though the tournament will be held at the Blue Cross Arena. Coach Wilson wants to win the regular season title. RIT has already matched their DI win total from last year this year and are 5th in the confernece standings. They have a good chance to double if not triple their DI win total with arguably some of the best goaltenders in the conference. I feel that RIT will soon be a top program in the conference. While many of you don't feel that the AHA is big time, consider this perspective.
In essence, I am thankful to have seen this dream come true.
Happy Thanksgiving. For the first time in a couple years, RIT does not play the weekend after Thanksgiving, giving them time to prepare for Holy Cross. For those travelling, drive safe.
posted by Komey at 2:53 PM
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