I'm back from RPI practice, and it doesn't appear that junior forward Tyler Helfrich will be back in the lineup this weekend, when the Engineers open ECAC Hockey play at Houston Field House against Yale on Friday, and Brown on Saturday.

Helfrich, who suffered an ankle injury Oct. 24 against American International, told me that while he is feeling better, he doesn't believe he is ready to play. Helfrich has not practiced.

RPI coach Seth Appert won't rush him back into the lineup.

"I don't anticipate him playing," Appert said. "If this was the national tournament, I think he would play. We could gut him through a weekend. But an ankle's one of those things that if we're too aggressive with this, it's something that could be affecting all season, and we can't have that."

Also, Appert said that sophomore forward Josh Rabbani has a shoulder injury, and is doubtful.