period -1-
G  1:46 RPI (1-0) McPherson(Henkel,Pothier)
P 16:01 RPI Munn (roughing)
P 19:20 UMD Sauer (interference)
 
period -2-
P  4:31 RPI Reigstad (tripping)
P  6:48 UMD Coole (hooking)
P 10:59 RPI Munn (interference)
G 14:07 RPI (2-0) Tapper(Shepherd,Henkel)
G 14:27 UMD (2-1) Derow(N. Anderson)
P 16:21 UMD Medak (hooking)
G 18:02 RPI (3-1) Tapper(Reigstad,Gosselin) ppg
 
period -3-
P  1:15 UMD Coole (5 minute major hitting from behind
                   + game misconduct)
P  6:35 UMD Fibiger (roughing)
P  7:45 RPI Gardiner (holding the stick)
P 12:16 RPI Murphy (tripping)
P 13:41 RPI Reigstad (tripping)
  18:19 timeout UMD- UMD pulls goalie
G 19:35 RPI (4-1) St. Hillaire(Gardiner) eng
 
officials: Noeth, Shea,Bouyea
 
saves         1   2   3   total
Nicklin(UMD)  7   5   12  24
Laing(RPI)    8   23  19  50
 
attendance: 3437 (down slightly from last night
    probably due to the first snow accumulation (2-3")
    of the season).
 
RPI totally outplayed the Bulldogs in the first period,
outskating, outchecking and maintaining total control
of the play. Then, in the second period, what has
become an Engineer trademark this season, happened again.
For everything the Engineers did right in the first
period, they did wrong in the second. Their passes
didn't connect, they couldn't control the puck, their
timing was off; they looked awful. The fact that they
outscored UMD 2-1 in the second period was miraculous;
they looked terrible. The Engineers went back into a defensive
shell in the 3rd, sitting on a 2 goal lead and netted an empty
netter to win 4-1 and take the championship of the RPI Invitational.
Coach Fridgen has stated often that he wants the Engineers to play
more of a defensive minded game. If that's what this was, they
need more practice. Goalie Joel Laing had to save 23 shots in the
2nd and 19 more in the 3rd to keep the Engineer lead. And a large number
of those saves were on quality shots. IMHO, Laing deserved a spot
on the All-Tourney team for his performance even though he only
played one game.  More than anyone, this victory was his.
 
If the Engineers come up with an effort like this (the second
and third period) against Yale and Princeton this weekend, they
don't stand a chance. Yet they played extremely well in the first
period. The intensity and drive was there and the execution was
faultless. It's almost as if someone gave them a "let's lose
this one for the Gipper speech after the first period".
 
I outsmarted myself after the game. Since tomorrow is a workday,
I didn't want to stick around for the long post-game ceremonies
which culminates with the naming of the All-Tournament team and MVP.
I tried to time things to get to my car in time to hear the All star
selections on WRPI. Unfortunately, they must have lost their feed
in the time it took to walk to my car. When I turned on the radio,
there was nothing but static. I'll post All-Tourney team tomorrow
if someone else doesn't.
 
In the consolation game, Merrimack defeated Union College 4-1.
 
Mark Lewin
RPI '69
 
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