TROY, N.Y. – Senior Mark Miller scored the eventual game-winning goal, midway through the third period, leading the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) men’s hockey team to a 3-2 victory and two-game series sweep of Union College, Saturday at the Houston Field House. With the win, the Engineers improve to 3-4 overall (2-0 ECAC Hockey), while the Dutchmen fall to 2-3-3 (0-2 ECAC Hockey).
Miller (Massena, NY/Omaha Lancers) gave RPI a 3-1 lead at 10:31 of the third period, sticking home a rebound from just outside the Union crease. The power play goal came after junior Riley Bourbonnais (Rochester, NY/Lincoln Stars) had his initial shot stuffed on the doorstep. Freshman Evan Tironese (Qualicum Beach, BC/Alberni Valley Bulldogs) earned the second helper.
Union drew to within 3-2 at 12:46 of the period, netting a 4-on-4 goal off the stick of sophomore Ryan Scarfo (North Chelmsford, MA/Powell River Kings).
The Dutchmen were unable to find the tying goal, despite pulling junior goaltender Alex Sakellaropoulos (Tinley Park, IL/Chicago Steel) for an extra attacker with 46 seconds to play.
Following a scoreless first period in which the Engineers held a 17-6 shots advantage, the hosts were finally able to break into the scoring column at 3:29 of the second. Junior Jake Wood (Georgetown, ON/Lincoln Stars) found sophomore Jared Wilson (Calgary, AB/Vernon Vipers) at the left point for a one-timer, that he blasted past Sakellaropoulos for his first goal of the year.
RPI doubled its lead at 7:01 of the second, when senior Phil Hampton (Oakville, ON/Oakville Blades) saw his shot deflect off a Union skater and into the net for his first of the season. Freshman Meirs Moore (Duluth, MN/Victoria Grizzlies) picked up his first collegiate assist on the goal.
Senior defenseman Sebastien Gingras (Pierrefonds, PQ/Brockville Braves) got the Dutchmen on the board at 4:03 of the third period, firing through a screen for his second of the campaign. Junior Michael Pontarelli (Laval, PQ/Cornwall Colts) and senior captain Matt Wilkins (Kimberley, BC/Brooks Bandits) had the assists.
RPI senior netminder Jason Kasdorf (Winnipeg, MB/Des Moines Buccaneers) made 27 saves for the win, while Sakellaropoulos had 36, including 17 in the first period alone. Both teams were 1 for 3 on the power play.
BACK-TO-BACK SWEEPS:
The Engineers swept Union in the regular season series for the second consecutive season. Something RPI hasn’t done since the 1992-93 and 1993-94 seasons.
FIRST ASSIST:
Freshman defenseman Meirs Moore earned his first collegiate assist on RPI’s second goal of the night.
SCORING CHANGE:
After seeing his goal changed to an assist after last night’s game, senior Phil Hampton recorded his first goal of the season for the second night in a row.
UP NEXT:
The Engineers are back in action next weekend, when they travel to the North Country to face Clarkson and St. Lawrence on Friday (7pm) and Saturday (7pm), respectively.
Union will make the same trip, visiting St. Lawrence on Friday and Clarkson on Saturday.
