Sunday, October 30, 1994 at Volpe Center, North Andover, MA
NONCONFERENCE GAME
RPI Engineers (2-1-0) 0 1 1 - 2
Merrimack Warriors (0-4-0) 0 1 0 - 1
FIRST PERIOD RPI-MC
No scoring.
SECOND PERIOD
1. MC1, Daryl Krauss 1 (Mark Cornforth), 5:13. PPG 0-1
2. RPI1, Adam Bartell 1 (Kelly Askew), 19:37. 1-1
THIRD PERIOD
3. RPI2, Wayne Clarke 3 (Bryan Richardson), 14:51. GWG 2-1
SHOTS ON GOAL: RPI 12-12-11 = 35
Merrimack 9--3-13 = 25
SAVES: RPI, Bryan Masotta (W, 1-0-0, 60:00, 25 sh-24 sv).
MC, Martin Legault (L, 0-3-0, 58:48, 35 sh-33 sv).
POWER PLAYS: RPI 0 for 9. MC 1 for 8.
PENALTIES: RPI 11/22. MC 11/30.
REFEREES: Jim Fitzgerald, Bob Fowkes. LINESMAN: Michael Watson.
ATTENDANCE: 1,110 (capacity 3,617).
THREE STARS: 1. RW Wayne Clarke, RPI (1-0--1, GWG).
2. G Bryan Masotta, RPI (W, 25 sh-24 sv).
3. G Martin Legault, Merrimack (35 sh-33 sv).
Wayne Clarke knocked home the rebound of a Bryan Richardson shot with
5:09 left in the game to break a 1-1 tie and send RPI on to a 2-1 win
this afternoon at Merrimack. It was the first RPI win at Merrimack
since November 1985.
The game was Merrimack's home opener after three season opening road
games. Merrimack now stands at 0-4-0 after four difficult games to
start the season.
Both goaltenders played well, with RPI freshman Bryan Masotta allowing
just one goal, a PPG early in the second period. Merrimack's Daryl
Krauss was originally given credit for the goal for tipping in a shot
off the draw by Mark Cornforth, but that will probably change to
Claudio Peca after a viewing of the game tape. Krauss won the draw
and would then receive credit for an assist.
Merrimack's Martin Legault stopped 33 shots and allowed only two goals,
but the first came with 23 seconds left in the second on a shot from
the blue line by Adam Bartell. Legault had no chance on the game winner
in the third, as he made a superb stop on Richardson and then Clarke
put in the rebound uncontested.
A strong point for Merrimack was the play of the shorthand unit, which
completed a perfect weekend by killing all 9 Engineer power plays after
doing the same on 5 Colgate man advantages Friday night. Defensively,
things could have been better as two close games this weekend against
good teams became losses when the defense was unable to cover rebounds.
There is a lack of depth on the blueline, and as a result, Eric
Weichselbaumer had been converted to defense during the Colgate game
and started there today. He did not look out of place, however.
Dave Josselyn's comments about the Merrimack forwards rang true again
today. Merrimack has more speed and potential up front than they have
probably had in at least 6 or 7 years. Unfortunately, there is a real
lack of a sniper right now which is why the team is 0-4. But with 8
forwards in their first or second year and 7 of those playing among the
top 3 lines, I have to believe that as things come together, the goals
will follow down the road.
For RPI, the youth was evident, as the Engineers likewise had trouble
putting together good scoring plays or converting on the ones they did
get. The players projected to score goals like Richardson, Askew,
and Clarke, will need to do so while the young players develop. All
three had their problems today, however.
Doug Battaglia impressed with his ability to throw his weight around
early, but two penalties in the first period seemed to make him more
careful and may have taken an edge off his game. As he learns what
he can and can't do, I think he'll become a key player.
RPI's power play also needs some work. 8 for 13 against McGill turned
into 0 for 13 against BU and Merrimack, and neither BU nor Merrimack's
penalty killing has been that impressive in recent years. It wasn't
unusual for RPI to bring the puck up ice with a full head of steam,
only to have Merrimack break up the play once the puck got into the
offensive zone.
Mark Cornforth rolled up 18 minutes in penalties, including a misconduct
when he slammed his stick against the glass in frustration after a call
on him late in the second period. Admittedly, the call (interference)
could have easily gone the other way, but it hurt not having the
captain and best playmaker on defense out there for half of the third
period. Cornforth now has 34 PIM in four games, a pace which would
give him over 300 for the season. This is unusual for a guy who drew
only 58 PIM last year, but he seems to be a victim of the new rules
emphasis on holding and interference, and he will need to adjust his
game accordingly.
RPI continues nonleague play by hosting Army next Saturday, 11/5.
Merrimack opens Hockey East play and hopes to stop its 11 game losing
streak dating back to last season, by hosting Providence Friday (11/4)
and then traveling to play at the Friars on Saturday (11/5).
--- ---
Mike Machnik [log in to unmask]
Cabletron Systems, Inc. *HMM* 11/13/93
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