After several years without the ECRHA championship in their stomachs, the RIT roller hockey team climbed all the way to the top shelf and took the championship away from the mouths of the three time champion Towson tigers. RIT played a vigorous 6 games to reach their goal, they battled some of the toughest teams the ECRHA has to offer including UB, Towson, Binghamton, and Pittsburgh. RIT was able to finish what they had been starting over the past few seasons, since 2004 they have gone 38-10-4 in the regular season only to fall short at the regional championships. In 2004 they made it to the championship game only to lose in the final to Towson. RIT was still hungry this year, they have been waiting for another shot at the crown, and gobbled it up in commanding fashion.

RIT won their central conference division this year during the last weekend of play with a record of 11-3-2, putting them in the 3rd seed going into the regional tournament. Their strong regular season set up the road to the championship game as they were placed into a division with two of their central conference rivals, Pittsburgh and Binghamton, as well as fellow powerhouse Towson (tied in regular season with 24pts each). The RIT tigers had great knowledge of Pittsburgh and Binghamton, which they quickly put to use, disposing of Pittsburgh in Game #1 of the tournament by a score of 8-5. The high-powered Tigers offense had a field day picking apart the Panther defense for 8 goals, which proved to be too much to handle. In the tigers 2nd game they faced off with a tricky Binghamton team who had split the season series with RIT. RIT knew they had to come out of the starting gates with all cylinders high and did so in a dominating manner. The Tigers took control of the game early and with patience and puck control were able to chip away at the scoreboard. Along with excellent defense the Tigers were able to control the game and take home a 9-2 victory, putting the Tigers in great position going into their third game against the Towson tigers. RIT began their third game of the day tired, and without leading scorer John Nowak, they were however ready for the challenge. The team fought hard and along with great goaltending by Brett Campbell, the RIT defense stayed strong, holding a 3-2 lead for most of the contest. The tired Rochester attack was evident as Towson took over in the third period, tying the score at 3-3 and then eventually, on a nice redirect of a Josh Stein pass, Towson took the 4-3 lead which they were able to hold on to despite a valiant last minute RIT push. Despite the loss the Tigers were able to gain confidence and acquire knowledge of the opponent who they were to take on the following morning. They still however had one more test in front of them, Binghamton. They would face-off with Binghamton for a second time that day, this time playing in the quarterfinal game. This game would send the winner into the semi-finals the subsequent morning as well as all but assure the winner a spot at the national championship tournament. The game started out slow with both goalies playing marvelously. However, RIT was able to dig down and put in the first goal of the contest. After that RITÃ?s superior puck control system started to wear down Binghamton who were forced to take a few penalties, which allowed the RIT gang to score a few power play goals midway through the game. After that RIT kept the puck possession and Brett Campbell made some solid saves, coming away with the playoff game shutout and a 4-0 Victory.

9:15am marked the start time for the semi-final match up between the RIT Tigers and the Towson Tigers. Towson was a confident team after beating RIT by a score of 4-3 the previous day, but RIT was well rested and coming off a 4-0 quarterfinal victory. RIT knew this game would be different. RIT would jump out to a quick lead on a power play goal just 6 minutes into the game, and would follow that up with an even strength tally just 3 minutes later to take an opening 2-0 lead on goals from Paul Marzello. RITÃ?s defensive system proved tough to beat, even though Towson was able to outshoot the RIT Tigers, they managed very few quality scoring chances and when they did the RIT netminder, Brett Campbell, was equal to the challenge. As the game wore on and the RIT puck patient offense went to work, the Towson squad had to take penalties to try and create scoring opportunities, however those penalties would result in more RIT goals. Just into the second period, with Towson playing a man high on RIT sniper John Nowak, the RIT power play adjusted and Tim Dion and leading goal scorer Mark McCreary notched consecutive goals giving the RIT Tigers a 4-0 lead. The dog had not lost its fight yet as Towson quickly scored on the power play to make it a 4-1 contest. Towson would then score 2 goals in less than 30 seconds to bring the game within one. Now it was time for the RIT Tigers to show their character. Their backs against the wall, and with significant momentum swing RIT was able to get out of the period with a one-goal lead. The RIT Tigers settled down at the intermission and came out a much more patient team, again returning to their zone defense and puck protecting attack. They were able to regain the two-goal lead 4 minutes in on a great slap shot by second year stand out Brian Helm. RIT knew they could protect this lead and began controlling the puck with great patients forcing the Towson team to begin to run around off their game. Towson would then become frustrated, taking 5 misconduct penalties, allowing RIT to notch an insurance goal and go to the Championship game with a 6-3 victory.

The excitement for the Tigers was not over yet, just minutes after their own game they were able to watch ECRHA regular season champions Rhode Island take on their Western New York rivals UB Wings. With the game just starting overtime all the Tigers began to watch, as time went on the RIT team was licking their lips, knowing the eventual winner would be extremely tired going to the final game. A few seconds into the third overtime period UB was able to score on the power play sending them to face RIT in the final. The final began with two very familiar teams squaring off. Both teams play a puck possession game and like to create offense off of opponent mistakes. As the chess match began RIT knew they needed to feed off of the tired UB legs. However, it was UB to open the scoring on a bouncing shot from Kevin Fischer giving Buffalo an early lead. RIT wasnÃ?t fazed however and got back quickly with a goal from Mike Pohlman on a pass from John Nowak. UB would send out fresh legs and counter just 14 seconds later taking a 2-1 lead. RIT would answer back however 3 minutes into the third on the power play. The Tigers would use a play that had been clicking all year, as Marzello and Nowak passed up top, McCreary would sneak into the slot where Nowak would feed him a cross ice one-timer for the goal and to tie the game. Then again 5 minutes later it was McCreary who scored on a pass from Mike Kuzan to put the Tigers up 3-2. The game was stuck like that for about 12 minutes until Kevin Fischer took the puck across the RIT zone and put a shot in off the post to tie the game. With just three minutes left RIT went back to basics. They used the play they devised three years ago for 2 on 2 situations after Mike Pohlman made a defensive stop and passed the puck ahead to Paul Marzello. John Nowak saw the play developing and left his right side spot to cut in front of MarzelloÃ?s defender, setting up a pick for Paul to walk through. After that Paul beat his man as John went to the front of the UB goal to set up a screen, Marzello then placed a perfect shot into the top right of the goal, giving the RIT Tigers the lead back. RIT would hold off the final few minutes with top-notch defense from Tim Dion, Brian Clayton, Brian Helm, and Mike Pohlman. Brett Campbell was perfect in goal for the final 3 minutes. With the last ditch shot blocked by Marzello and Nowak at center ice the Tigers began to celebrate their ECRHA championship season.

The Tigers are now preparing for the National Championship Tournament in St. Louis, MO. The Tournament will take place April 4th-7th at the Matteson and Omni Hockey facilities. The Tigers are beginning to fundraise money, as well as practice their skills, as they believe they have a real shot at bringing back the National crown to Rochester. The Tigers enthusiasm will be a great advantage going to Missouri as shown through the words of Tigers star goaltender Brett Campbell â??its great to be back, Im hungry for a Lindenwood sandwichâ?