Becoming a competitive program was supposed to take a little longer for RPI. It was a process that was supposed to involve a culture change with a new head coach. A process that would include bringing in a new roster. A newer facility. A new everything.
The first signs of life for a long-dormant RPI program were evidently clear on Friday night in front of a sold-out Houston Field House. Then, in an instant, the Engineers reverted back to the program that authored many a blown-lead last season. In Dave Smith’s first home game, RPI took the lead, but lost a 4-2 decision to rival Union. In Dave Smith’s first home game, the chance for a signature win fell by the wayside.
“We need to measure success on the things that are important to us in the locker room,” Smith said. “Do we want to win? Yes. Did we put ourselves in a chance to win? We did. We’re trying to create that aggressive culture that can play a full 60 minutes.”
RPI entered the third period up 2-1, but allowed the final three goals of the game. The game-winner, with 6:32 left by Anthony Rinaldi, was a shot that Smith contested. He said he disagreed with the referees’ determination that Union didn’t interfere with Chase Perry’s ability to save the shot.
Ryan Scarfo, Cole Maier, and Ryan Walker also tallied goals for the Dutchmen; Walker’s was an empty-netter. Jake Marrello scored the game-tying goal for RPI in the second period, and a tip off Brady Wiffen’s skate gave the Engineers the lead, but it was a temporary lead, even if it let Houston Fieldhouse shake in the home-opener.
“I think it was big for us,” Maier said of playing from behind. “As a team, for sure. I think that helps us out and it will help us down the road.”
Union coach Randy Bennett said Maier got the Union team pumped up in between the second and third period, after penalties had stalled the Union offense in the middle 20 minutes.
RPI was on the verge of an important upset —- not just for the early ECAC standings, but to make a statement to their fans and the program, but that statement was halted as the Dutchmen won their fourth straight game after losing the first five to start the season.
“I thought it was a different team,” Bennett said of RPI. “It’s not a knock against the previous coaching staff. I just thought it was a little more, it wasn’t running around, it wasn’t crazy hockey. Yeah, there were some penalties. He’s done a nice job with this staff, I just thought they were really structured.”
Structure, though, has yet to translate to wins. Just one win in the first six games. Yesterday, Union won 4-3, nearly blowing a 4-1 lead. It was two different types of games this weekend, but a one-goal Dutchmen win was the result each time.
RPI struggled on their power-play chances, even getting a very brief five-on-three that didn’t translate. When they pulled the goalie, there were two solid looks, but neither hit the back of the net. When Walker’s shot scooted in, everyone in the arena started to book it to the exits.
RPI showed their fans something tonight. They just didn’t show them a win.
“I want the fans to keep coming, but quite honestly I don’t notice them,” Smith said. “I don’t hear the band, I don’t know if music plays. It’s great that they’re here and our guys are energized, but for me, I wish we could have sent them home happy.”
ECAC Hockey roundup
No. 7 Minnesota, 2 No. 9 Clarkson 1
In a battle of top 10 teams, Mike Szmatula’s power-play goal 23 seconds stood up as the game-winner, and Eric Schierhorn made 18 saves as Minnesota swept Clarkson, 2-1.
St. Lawrence 6, No. 5 Wisconsin 5
Jacob Pritchard scored a power-play goal at 3:33 of the third period, barely three minutes after Ryan Wagner had scored a power-play goal for Wisconsin to tie it, and St. Lawrence tacked on two more in a 6-3 win over Wisconsin. Arthur Brey made 34 saves in the win.
Yale 5, Brown 2
The Bulldogs scored three goals in the final period and defeated Brown, 5-2, to move to 1-1 on the season. Mitchell Smith broke a 2-2 tie just over six minutes into the third period, and Joe Snivley tacked on another 11 minutes later to seal the win.
Cornell 3, Alabama-Huntsville 0
Cornell moved to 2-0 on the season with a convincing win on Saturday night. Trevor Yates scored two power-play goals to break the game open in the second and third period.
Colgate 1, Arizona State 1
Colgate moved to 3-2-3 with a tie against Arizona State at home on Saturday night. Tyler Penner scored the game-tying goal for the Raiders.
