Merrimack defeated RPI tonight at the Houston Field House in Troy.  The
first period saw no scoring, with very emotionless skating by both teams.
In the second period, Merrimack took the opportunity to score, and
accumulated three goals in what seemed like three seconds (one off a power
play, one right after the face-off, and one which bounced off what seemed
like every post on the goal, which the ref ruled as good).  RPI battled to
get their act together throughout the rest of the game, and managed two
goals in the third period.  In the last minute of play, RPI took out their
goalie for a six on five battle but could not convert.  Merrimack's last
goal dribbled into the empty net in the last five seconds of the game.
 
RPI is going to have to rethink their strategies and their goals if they
want to live up to the billings that the sports press has been giving them.
 They were not a number one team tonight; their defense, which was lacking
due to injured players, was very ineffective, and their offense, while able
to get many shots on goal, was unable to come together and function as a
unit.  Their play reminded me much of the mediocre RPI team of two years
ago... I certainly hope that by the time they face their North Country foes
(Clarkson and St. Lawrence, on November 12th and 13th) they will have
readjusted their mindset.  In the meantime, Army and BU will keep them
busy.  We'll be keeping our fingers crossed!
 
LET'S GO RED!
 
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Hugh Johnson                      Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
[log in to unmask]                                 Troy, New York, USA
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