Here we go again. It's time for another installment in the RPI-Union rivalry.
At stake Saturday night at 7 at the Houston Field House is the championship of the Rensselaer Holiday Tournament. On Friday, the Dutchmen advanced with a 1-0 shootout win over Lake Superior State, while the Engineers cruised to a 5-2 win over Bentley.
It will be the second meeting between the two schools this season. On Oct. 30, RPI overcame a 3-2 deficit to earn a 4-3 overtime win at Messa Rink. A Stephane Boileau interference penalty for knocking RPI defenseman Jeff Foss' stick out of his hands and 10 feet into the air behind the RPI net led to a late power-play goal by Bryan Brutlag. Chase Polacek won it in the OT.
This should be a great game, even though it's not an ECAC Hockey contest.
"It's fun," RPI coach Seth Appert said. "Certain parts of you say, 'Geez, it would be nice to play somebody different and to play a great program like Lake Superior State.' But, for the local flavor and for our rivalry, rivalries intensify when you play big games against each other. Whether that's playoff games, or tournament championships, or national tournaments, whatever it is, it's already a very good rivalry. It has a chance now, with playing at least four games against each other this year, and now in the championship of a tournament, to heighten it a little bit and get that blood boiling even a little bit more."
Joel Malchuk, who scored twice, is looking forward to Round 2.
"Us an Union are always good games," Malchuk said. "It's a big rivalry, I guess, for us. It's just a lot of intensity. You get their fans over here, and you get our fans going and it's a great atmosphere. It's going to be a great game."
I am challenging the Capital Region hockey fans to show up and fill Houston Field House for this game. Except for fans of the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School football team, who will be rooting their Spartans against Sweet Home in the state football Class A final in Syracuse, there is no excuse for not coming to the game. The Rats, Siena men's basketball and UAlbany men's basketball are on the road. Pack the Houston Field House. Hold off on Christmas shopping for a night. Cheer for RPI or Union. Help blow the roof off of the field house.
Merriam sharp
RPI sophomore goalie Allen York didn't dress against Bentley because of an upper-body injury. That meant freshman goalie Bryce Merriam got the start.
Merriam did fine. He made 15 saves. He was barely tested in the first period because the Falcons fired just two shots in goal.
"I thought Bryce did a nice job," Appert said. "He didn't have a lot of shots. That's tough. You're sitting there in the first period, and don't have anything. And then, all of a sudden, they have a flurry quick in the second. If he gives up one there, it's 2-1 and it's a different game. He holds the fort, it goes to 4-0 and allows us to take control of the game."
Appert wouldn't rule out York for the Union game.
"He got a lot of treatments this week," Appert said. "[Athletic trainer] Chris Thompson has done a great job with him. We'll continue to treat him tomorrow morning, and we'll probably get him on the ice for a pregame skate in late morning and see how it feels.
"If he's healthy, he'll play. If he's not, we're not going to jeopardize his health for league play next week for this tournament."
Three stars
The three stars of the game:
1) Joel Malchuk, RPI — Scores twice, including game-winner.
2) Jerry D'Amigo, RPI — One goal, one assist, and a magician with the puck.
3) Scott Halpern, RPI — Two assists.
That is all from a long, but great day at Houston Field House. Anytime you get to cover hockey, it's a wonderful day. I'll be back with you tomorrow night for the RPI-Union matchup.
If you have any comments, post them below, or e-mail them to me at schott@dailygazette.com.
Good Night! Good Hockey!
