NEW HAVEN, Conn. – The 11th-ranked Yale University men’s hockey team got 29 saves from Alex Lyon and goals from Rob O’Gara, Anthony Walsh and Cody Learned in a 3-0 win over 16th-ranked Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) before a sold out Ingalls Rink.
The Blue (12-5-4, 7-4-3 ECAC), had a 33-29 edge in shots, while RPI (14-8-6, 6-2-6) had the game’s on power play in the first period.
The Bulldogs were buzzing in the first period and got the first 11 shots on goal in the game. One of those shots came during a pile up around the RPI crease as Yale pounded on the net. It began with an O’Gara shot from the top of the left circle and finished with the senior defenseman following up his shot and two others.
Walsh’s second collegiate goal gave the home team a 2-0 start almost eight minutes later. Joe Snively poked the puck away from an opponent to the point for Adam Larkin. The second-year defenseman moved it along the blueline to Walsh, who found space, took a few strides and sent a rising snapshot over Kasdorf’s shoulder.
Forty-seven shots were taken during the second period and 20 of them required stops (12-8 in favor of Yale).
Cody Learned capped the scoring for the hosts at 6:55 of the third period. Assists went to Ryan Obuchowski and Carson Cooper.
RPI, which had its unbeaten string end at six games tonight, had chances to put pucks in the net, but they didn’t get many second chances. The Elis blanketed Engineers as they attempted to crash the net or find rebounds.
The visitors pulled their goalie with 2:44 left, but the Elis allowed only one shot to find Lyon.
The Engineers return to action next weekend, when they host St. Lawrence and Clarkson. Saturday night marks the 39th Annual Big Red Freakout! at the Houston Field House. Puck drop on both nights is scheduled for 7pm.
