Looks like the 1995 version of the Engineers will stress defense, intermingled
with occasional defensive thrusts, returning to a defensive base.
 
This year's team marks the departure of the Buddy system--these guys are big,
and like to stand-up their opponents.  What remains to be seen is whether these
big bodies have speed, and talent around the net.  But my guess is that they
won't be boring.  They'll mix it up, and probably show a little nasty streak
as well.
 
This morning's Red/White scrimmage was one of the more entertaining versions I
have witnessed.  Gone are the streaking forwards moving through the center zone.
Instead the offense seems to consist of Brian Richardson and whoever is next to
him, and an occasional mass of big bodies skating to the front of the net.
Richardson's importance to this year's  Engineers is obvious, and the scrimmage
only emphasized this fact.  Richardson was involved in all four of his white
team's scores with linemate Ferguson, the noted transfer from Michigan Tech,
the beneficiary of one of Richardson's assists.  Ferguson will be an interesting
story.  He's mean, big and very un-Engineer-like.  He seems however to possess a
scoring touch, which may mean he won't degrade into a goon/enforcer type.
Whether Fridge intends to have him play the wing on Richardson's line is a
unknown however.  For some unknown reason, regular left winger Tim Regan stood
next to the white bench in street clothes, although he didn't appear to be
injured.  Perhaps Fridge is thinking that the addition of Ferguson would add a
physical presence to the Richardson line, a la Clark Gillies on the famous
Trottier/Bossy line of the the Islanders.  But it may have just been a last
minute replacement.
 
For the record, the scoring was as follows:
 
1. Ferguson (Richardon, Pirrong)
2. Richardon (Ferguson, O'Connor)
3. Ferguson (Richardson)
4. Riva (Battaglia)
5. Healy (Battaglia)
6. Richardson (O'Connor, Murray)
7. Garver (Murphy)
8. Healy (Murphy, Garver)
9. St. Hilaire
 
Lines were as follows:
 
                          RED
Battaglia/Riva/Maye
Murphy/Healy/Garver
Cunningham/James--I didn't see these two out on ice at all.
 
                           WHITE
O'Connor/Richardson/Ferguson
Gosselin/St. Hillaire/Bilodeau
Fukes--didn't notice him out on ice either
 
The freshman, as evidenced, will have to play a major part in the offense with
the loss of the senior forwards from last year's ECAC Championship team.
Standing out was Riva, who seems to have some speed and good ice knowledge.
Riva looks like he might shape up to be a decent playmaker, which the Engineers
are in desperate need of at present.  Also standing out, a not only because of
his very substantial size, was Bilodeau, who failed to connect on several
scoring attempts.  Also winger Garver made a coouple of nifty centering passes
one of which resulted in a gift goal for Healy.
 
Undoubtedly the highlight of the scrimmage occurred in the last minutes when
mild mannered Eric Healy squared off with defenseman Bryanb Tapper.  Both
eventually received game misconducts, much to the amusement of the few in
attendance.
 
ONn the minus side, Pat Brownlee did not suit up, and according to the fan
gossip, has undergone knee surgery.  He is definitely out for Lowell, although
the severity of his injury is unknown.  Also, Chris Kiley departed early in the
scrimmage, returning with his shoulder in a sling, and forward Eric Healy also
semed to be experience some discomfort with his shoulder.  It did not seem to
impede his swings against Tapper however.
 
I would think the jury is out on this year's Engineer team.  Next Saturday's
opener against Lowell may help clarify the Engineer potential.  But my guess is
that the team will look a little shabby early on.  If the freshman forwards
have the talent to play through the trapping defenses that will be thrown at
them, RPI might begin to hit its stride come January.
******************************************************************************
Brian Morris                     RPI Engineers--1995 ECAC Champions
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