Parting Schotts

RPI-Bentley postgame report

RPI is living on the edge, and loving it. Well, maybe not loving it that much.

For three straight games, the Engineers haven’t allowed a power-play goal. They killed off six Bentley power plays in their 3-0 win Saturday at Houston Field House.

That extended their streak to 21 straight successful penalty kills. The streak started last Saturday when the Engineers killed off all seven Colorado College power plays. On Friday, Northeastern couldn’t get a power-play goal in eight tries.

Against Bentley, RPI killed off a pair of two-man advantages in the first period.

"We're competing, winning puck battles and getting clears," said goalie Allen York, who made five of his 23 saves on Bentley's power plays and record his third career shutout. "It's easy when you're not in your zone for two minutes."

Amazingly, RPI coach Seth Appert sees room for improvement.

"Our kill's been good, but it can be better," Appert said. "I know, numerically, it looks great. But, on, ice it can be better. We're not clearing the puck well. We've had a lot of chances to clear pucks, and we're not getting them 200 feet down the ice. What it leads to is five-on-three's against, because now you're tired, you're stuck out there and have to haul a guy down."

The best-case scenario would be not allow as many power plays as RPI has done. But that's not going to happen. Appert just wants to see a more consistent effort.

"We’ve had so many five-on-three's against us," Appert said. “We’re killing them well, and 'Yorkie’s' been good, but that’s not a good recipe for success on the penalty kill. Numerically, our kill looks real good. But I expect it to be better in actual performance."

Three stars
My three stars of the game:
1) Chase Polacek, RPI — 1 goal, 2 assists
2) Allen York, RPI — made 23 saves
3) Tyler Helfrich, RPI — 1 goal, 2 assists

That’s all from Houston Field House.

Good Night! Good Hockey!

today's events