Three things I learned from Atlantic Hockey this weekend:
There was only one game in Atlantic Hockey this weekend, but I had the good fortune to be there to see Rochester Institute of Technology take on Robert Morris at Clearview Arena at the Island Sports Center. The Colonials came away with a 4-0 win to cap off the first part of the AHA season.
Things learned:
Goalies are your best penalty killer – It’s cliche’, but true. Robert Morris has the best penalty kill in Division I (94.7%) and shut down RIT on all six of its power play attempts, including a five-on-three. The main reason was the play of goaltender Brooks Ostergard, who recorded his third career shutout, stopping all 32 he faced, including eight while his team was a man down.
You need will and skill to be successful – RIT coach Wayne Wilson said he was disappointed with some of his players while complimenting the hustle of others. “If our skilled players played as hard as our fourth line, we have a chance to win tonight”, said Wilson after the game.
Nothing decided – The Tigers have the 47th ranked offense in the nation and have been shut out a school-record four times this season, including twice in league play. Yet had they won on Saturday, they would have been in first place. There’s a logjam in the standings with just a single point separating the top four teams, and another three teams within a weekend sweep of getting into the top four.
I’ll be looking back on the first half of the season in the Atlantic Hockey blog next Monday.
Getting my vote:
Here’s how I’ll vote in tomorrow’s USCHO.com Division I men’s poll:
1. Minnesota-Duluth
2. Minnesota
3. Boston College
4. Ohio State
5. Notre Dame
6. Colorado College
7. Merrimack
8. Union
9. Boston University
10. Western Michigan
11. Ferris State
12. Colgate
13. Cornell
14. Michigan State
15. Denver
16. Lake Superior
17. Mass-Lowell
18. North Dakota
19. Michigan
20. Air Force
