In a very evenly fought game, RPI and Union battled to a 1-1 tie. I thought that RPI got a better of the play in the first period but not by much.  Then the teams reversed roles with Union getting  the slight edge in the second. The second period ended with the score at 0-0.  When RPI's Matt Murley scored early in the third, it seemed as if the floodgates would open.  Not only did RPI have the lead,  but the Engineer's legs were fresh while Union had to be tired having played UMass-Lowell on Wednesday night.  On top of that, man for man, RPI had the size advantage over Union.  However, you can never underestimate the power of adrenalin.  RPI's go ahead goal seemed to energize
the Dutchmen.  Jeff Hutchins tied the score a minute and a half later  and Union seemed to gain the momentum and carried the
play for the next 10 minutes or so.  With less than 5 minutes to play, a casual observer might have looked at both teams and concluded that RPI was the more tired of the two teams.  RPI held the tie by some good solid defensive play and finally got some momentum going in the final 5 minutes.  But the Dutchmen defensemen were having an outstanding night also and kept RPI off the board.  Union seemed to take the upper hand in the overtime and it seemed that RPI was ready to settle for the tie (which they succeeded in getting).  Both goalies (Marsters for RPI and Snee for Union) played well but the game belonged the the defensemen on both teams who played excellent positional hockey, kept the goalies' sight lines open and did a great job of clearing rebounds out of harm's way. While a tie against Union is a disappointment for RPI fans, it was a true reflection of the game.  Both teams played equally well and neither team deserved to lose.

And the highlight of the evening was a Union goal with none of those stupid oranges pelting the ice.




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