Bentley Set to Host RIT for First Time in Three Years This Weekend
Game Notes
THE MATCHUP: Bentley will host RIT this weekend for the first time in three years, and it will be the first games between the two teams in almost two years. Friday's game is set for 7:05 pm from Bentley Arena and Saturday's game is still set for 4:05 pm.
The last, and only time RIT visited Bentley Arena was in January of 2019. Bentley took a win and a tie from that series. The last time the teams played was in February of 2020 in Rochester.
The Falcons will come into the weekend with a 10-6 Atlantic Hockey record for 30 points. That has them in a tie for second place with Canisius. They are 12-10 overall.
RIT will go into the weekend with a 7-6-2 AHA record for 15 points. That has them in seventh place in the standings. The Tigers are 11-10-2 overall after they split a home and home series with Niagara last weekend, with a 5-3 loss and 6-5 win in overtime.
BENTLEY'S UPDATED ATTENDANCE POLICY: Due to the recent surge in COVID-19 cases, concessions and catering service will be closed at all athletic events until further notice. Individuals may not bring food and/or beverage items into the Arena, the basketball facility or the pool. Individuals with specific/special dietary needs due to medical conditions or religious requirements should contact the Athletic Department or Bentley Arena prior to arrival.
Bentley's existing vaccination or negative test policy remains in effect with masks required to be worn at all times. Those that choose not to comply will be asked to leave the premises.
FOLLOW THE GAMES: Both games can be seen live on FloHockey.TV. A subscription is required.
Live stats for each game can be found at https://bentleyfalcons.com/sports/mice/2021-22/schedule
Tickets for the games this weekend can be purchased at the following link: https://www.etix.com/ticket/v/12892/the-bentley-arena
If you are planning to attend, please note Bentley University's spectator policy: https://bentleyfalcons.com/information/Spectators_Policy
LAST TIME OUT: Bentley split with Canisius on the road last weekend with a 7-4 victory in the first game and a 2-1 overtime defeat in the second game. The result was the Falcons headed home from Western New York with four points in the standings.
In Friday's win, sophomore defenseman Drew Bavaro and sophomore forward Ethan Harrison each scored two goals. Harrison scored his first career goal at 3:34 of the 2nd period to tie the game 2-2. He then scored again at 16:43 of the 2nd to tie the game again at 3-3.
Bavaro lit the lamp at 2:33 of the 3rd period to give the Falcons a 4-3 lead, and just under two minutes later Cole Kodsi's fifth goal of the year made it 5-3. Bavaro added a power play goal at 15:47 and Dylan Pitera added an empty-net goal late for his sixth tally of the season.
Graduate student goalie Evan DeBrouwer made 19 saves for his 7th win in a row.
Canisius won Saturday's game 2-1 in overtime. Kodsi had a power play goal for Bentley at 9:35 of the 3rd period to tie the game 1-1. Canisius' Austin Alger scored a power play at 1:54 of overtime to win it, but Bentley earned a point for getting to overtime. Sophomore goalie Nicholas Grabko made 20 saves.
TEAM NOTES: Bentley again received votes in this week's DCU/USCHO.com. They received the 5th most votes of teams outside the top-20.
Drew Bavaro's 9 goals is tied for the second most in the nation among defensemen and his 21 points are tied for 8th among defensemen.
Graduate student defenseman Matt Lombardozzi's six power play goals are tied for the 8th most in the nation and tied for the most in Atlantic Hockey.
Senior defenseman Ethan Roswell ranks 6th nationally in blocks with 52.
DeBrouwer is 10th in the nation in save percentage at .928