Men’s Hockey Hosts Bowling Green in Home Opener on Friday

Tigers Featured in Thursday’s Democrat and Chronicle

Josh Lehrer

Justin Hofstetter and the Tigers look to pick up their first win of the season on Friday against Bowling Green.

The RIT men’s hockey team plays its 2007-2008 regular-season home opener on Friday, Oct. 19, against Bowling Green University at the Ritter Arena. The contest begins at 7:05 p.m.

Thursday’s Rochester Democrat and Chronicle featured a full-page spread on the 2007-2008 Tigers, including an in-depth season preview and “meet the Tigers” feature.

The first 1,000 fans through the door will receive pom-poms sponsored by RIT Sports Zone. In addition, there will be a tailgate party before the game at the RITz SportsZone from 5 to 7 p.m.

Friday night’s contest is the third meeting between RIT and Bowling Green and second since the Tigers jumped to Division I in 2005. Last Saturday, the Tigers dropped their season opener to Colgate, 6-5. The Tigers showed plenty of grit and determination, erasing a 3-0 deficit and taking a 5-4 third period lead. Simon Lambert (St. Therese, Quebec) had three assists, while Matt Smith (Toronto) tallied two goals.

Head Coach Wayne Wilson and Associate Head Coach Brian Hills are Bowling Green alumni, both having enjoyed stellar careers playing for the Brown and Orange. Hills was a 1983 Hobey Baker Award finalist and left Bowling Green as the school’s all-time leading scorer. Wilson was a captain on the 1984 team that won the NCAA Division I Championship.

Bowling Green opens its season on Thursday at Niagara. Bowling Green senior Derek Whitmore is a Rochester native, hailing from the town of Greece.

Tickets are available at the Gordon Field House and Activities Center Box Office or by phone at (585) 475-4121. Fans can also purchase tickets before the game at the Ritter Arena. Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for alumni, faculty and staff and $4 for students with ID