Well, I'm back after a layoff. I've been real busy at work, so
I'm sorry if anybody tried to ask a question of me or anything like
that, as I do not have ready access to a computer that ties into
the net.
 
Let's do a slight recap of last weekend's action for the Engineers.
 
Friday @ UVM
 
The Engineers were looking to extend their 7 game unbeaten streak and
found themselves in the Cathouse.
 
The Cats jumped out to a quick lead as Neil Little let a shot by Leddy
dribble through his legs and into the goal within the 1st 4 minutes of
the game. This was a shot that Neil should have stopped, but did not.
 
The Engineers came right back though and scored 2 to take the 2-1 lead
2/3 of the way into the 1st period.  The Cats though came back and tied
it up at 2.
 
The Engineers took the 3-2 lead with less than a minute to play in the
1st, as UVM totally forgot that Craig Hamelin was coming out of the penalty
box, and Hammer took it staight to Tim THomas and put it past him.
 
The Engineers took a 4-2 lead after 2 periods. Then the fans started getting
into it as UVM came roaring back scoring twice in the final stanza to tie
the game at 4.
 
Both teams had good chances in OT, but neither converted.
 
Final UVM 4     RPI 4
 
Some points:
 
1) Wayne Clarke is really picking it up lately, as he had a hat trick
on Friday.  The other Engineers are getting a boost as well, as a lot
of the attention is being focused upon the line of RIchardson, Regan and
Brick.
 
2) Kelly Askew went down with a slight rib injury, and is being reevaluated.
 
3) The UVM team used speed to rack up the chances on Neil Little. If you
looked at the shot charts for the entire game, almost all of the Cats'
shots were in a triangle extending out from Neil Little, with Neil as
the tip of the triangle.  The Engineer defense did not block out their
men to great effectiveness on Friday.
 
4) Let me just say, I LOVE the Cathouse! I always enjoy going up to
Burlington and having one of the most ultimate fan experiences every
single time. My hats off to the UVM fans.
 
Saturday @ Dartmouth
 
Talk about contrasting fan styles and arenas.  The Gut is a more rollicking
place, and Thompson is usually just dead.  Thompson is a beautiful arena,
but the fan support leaves something to be desired.
 
The Engineers started Mike Tamburro in goal tonight in place of Neil Little.
The story is that Neil reaggravated a knee injury, but I believe it was a
planned start if the Engineers tied or won at Burlington.
 
The Big Green were never in this game at all.  The Engineers jumped out to
a quick 5-0 lead and never looked back.  The Big Green tried to
intimidate Tamburro as they ran him a couple of times, and on the power
plays that ensued they were creamed.
 
Big games for Richardson, Pasco and Clarke as each had 2 goals.
 
Final: RPI 8    Dartmouth 2
 
Some points:
 
1) The Engineers were magnificent on special teams except for 2 times.
They were 5-9 on the evening on the power play, and 1-10 on the penalty
kill.  The 2 lapses on special teams were a shorthanded goal and a power
play goal.  Nothing either team could really do to hold on to those lapses.
 
2) Clarke with another nig night, but Ron Pasco had a chance at an early
hat trick, but could not put the puck into the net after the 1st period,
though his teammates tried a plenty, and believe me Ronnie heard about this
from his teammates on the ride home, and from me as well.
 
3) Kelly Askew sat out this game, for precautionary measures. He should be
back in the lineup for this weekend.
 
4) What has happened to this Dartmouth team? Highly regarded after last
year as a team to watch out for, this team seemed to have no discipline,
no flow, and no special teams.  Is this team that much different from last
year?
 
 
Well, it was a good weekend for the Engineers, as they took 3 out of a
possible 4 points, and move into a 3rd place tie with Colgate in the ECAC.
They still have 1 game in hand, and trail by 4 points to Harvard, and
remain 2 in back of Brown and even in games.
 
1) This RPI team has started to pickup from the inside.  Guys such as Perardi,
Gabriel, and O'Connor have begun to pick this team up.  With other teams
concentrating on Richardson's line, the other lines with Majic and Askew
have begun to gel and pick up steam.
 
2) Congrats this weekend to Craig Hamelin and Patrick Rochon.
Craig had4 assists on Saturday, and 2 on Friday.  His second assist on
Saturday was his 100th career point, the 2nd Engineer this season to
reach that plateau, as Xavier Majic reached it earlier this season
against Lowell.
Pat got his first career goal at the NCAA level on Saturday against
Dartmouth.  Since the beginning of the season, one of Pat's goals was
to score his first goal, and on the power play, he dumped one into a
realtively open net as Mike Bracco was sprawled out.
Congrats guys!
 
The next one in line is Ron Pasco, I believe he is at 93 points in his
career.
 
3) This weekend is a big one for both travel partners that meet here in
the Capital District.  Union trying to maintain a playoff position, and
]the Engineers looking to move towards 1st in the ECAC.  Calrkson looking
to go up further in the standings, and St. Lawrence trying to get rid
of thier funk.  Should be good games both nights.
Against St. Lawrence on Fri, the Engineers need to avoid a repeat of
the game in Canton, and what happened in Burlington.  The defense needs
to step up and stop the forwards from getting to the net.  The neutrel
zone play is the key to this game.
Against Clarkson on Sat., the Engineers need to do the exact same thing
that they did in Potsdam. Control the puck and dictate the flow.  With
the Knights out of their control game, guys like Tuomainen can not
score and get to the puck. If the Engineers don't look for a long night.
 
I'll go out on a limb and make predictions here.
RPI     6       St. Lawrence 2
RPI     4       Clarkson        3
 
Anyone else care to make any?
 
4) Just a request here.  If anybody in the WRPI listening area, listens to
the games, could you give me some feedback as to how we are doing?
Any suggestions, praises (lots of those I hope :)), or negative comments,
they are all welcome. And thanks for listening!
 
See ya this weekend at the Fieldhouse!
 
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* Jayson Moy  RPI  '89 '93      * One of the Voices of Rensselaer Engineer  *
* [log in to unmask]                  * Hockey, Baseball, Basketball and Football *
* The "J Man"                   * on 91.5FM, WRPI Troy                      *
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