Union fell behind early and never recovered in losing, 6-1, to Rensselaer in the ECAC Hockey opener for both teams at Houston Field House. It was Union’s most lopsided loss since a 5-0 loss to Yale in December 2010.
Sophomore left winger Riley Bourbonnais registered a hat trick, which started with his first career goal, to help the Engineers snap their five-game losing streak.
Bourbonnais’ first goal occured on a 3-on-1 rush, when he found the upper corner of the net with a wrist shot from the left faceoff circle at 7:43 of the first period. RPI added a second goal in the period at 15:58 as Jared Wilson’s shot from along the goal line deflected off Colin’s Steven’s glove and fluttered into the net.
Bourbonnais pushed RPI’s lead to 3-0 on a hard wrister in the slot 5:10 into the second period. Viktor Liljergren’s goal at 17:03 of the same period resulted in a change in goal, as Alex Sakellaropoulos replaced Stevens.
Union managed to put a shot past goaltender Jason Kasdoff on the power play at 4:24 of the third period. It was Mike Vecchione’s team-best fifth goal of the season, extending his points streak to seven games. RPI responded quickly on Bourbonnais’ third goal at4:31, followed by Lou Nanne’s goal at 7:36.
