OXFORD, Ohio – Junior Riley Bourbonnais scored two goals and sophomore Lou Nanne added two assists to lead the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) men’s hockey team to a 3-2 victory over Miami University, on Saturday at Goggin Ice Center. With the win, the Engineers improve to 11-6-3 overall, while the RedHawks drop to 5-10-2.
Sophomore Kenny Gillespie (Morrisville, NC/Jersey Hitmen) broke a 2-2 tie at 15:12 of the second period for the eventual game-winning goal. The tally, which was Gillespie’s third of the season, came on a delayed penalty. Senior Captain Chris Bradley (Williamsville, NY/Youngstown Phantoms) skated the puck into the Miami zone before having his shot blocked in the right circle. He then picked up the loose puck and found Gillespie all alone at the left side of the cage.
RPI then held the RedHawks to just six shots in the third period to preserve the victory.
Miami freshman Josh Melnick (Annandale, NJ) opened the scoring at 1:20 of the first period, burying the rebound of a shot by classmate Jack Roslovic (Columbus, OH). Junior Anthony Louis (Winfield, IL) earned the secondary assist.
The Engineers pulled even at 18:36 of the period, when Bourbonnais (Rochester, NY/Lincoln Stars) scored on a shorthanded breakaway. Nanne (Edina, MN/Sioux Falls Stampede) created the chance along the boards and sent a pass ahead for Bourbonnais, who picked out the top corner for the first of his two goals on the night.
Bourbonnais put the visitors up 2-1 at 4:47 of the second, sticking home his team-leading 12th goal of year, from senior Zach Schroeder (Prior Lake, MN/St. Thomas Academy) and Nanne. Bourbonnais walked past the Miami defense before beating RedHawks senior goaltender Ryan McKay (Palatine, IL) glove side.
Miami answered at 12:53 of the frame on Roslovic’s team-best ninth goal of the campaign. Breaking into the RPI zone on a 2-on-1, Louis slid a pass across the face of goal for Roslovic, who went top shelf on Engineers senior goaltender Jason Kasdorf (Winnipeg, MB/Des Moines Buccaneers), tying the game at 2-2.
Kasdorf (5-4-1) finished with 23 saves, while McKay had 14 at the other end of the ice. RPI went 0 for 4 on the power play, while the RedHawks were 0 for 3.
IT’S BEEN A WHILE:
Rensselaer’s win over Miami was the first since December 12, 1984. Miami had won the seven previous meetings.
TWO-GOAL GAME:
RPI’s Riley Bourbonnais notched his second two-goal game of the year in the win over Miami. He score both RPI goals in its 2-1 win over Boston College on October 11.
TWO-ASSIST GAME:
Lou Nanne registered his second two assist game of the year against the RedHawks. He also had two helpers in RPI’s 4-3 overtime victory at St. Lawrence on November 7.
SCORING SECOND:
The Engineers improve their record when the opponent scores first to 2-5-1.
UP NEXT:
Both teams are back on the ice tomorrow night for game two of the non-league series (5pm).
