Well as the weekend nears, it brings us closer to a very anticipated
matchup in Division I college hockey.  The Engineers vs. the Dutchmen.
 
The last time these teams played it was the quarterfinals of the ECAC
playoffs..  Union had just gone 7-0-2 in their last nine, and the Engineers
were 4-2-2 in their last 8.
 
Union was the hottest team in the ECAC and surprised everyone by finishing
sixth with wins over Colgate and Cornell to take sixth after starting the
season in last.
 
The Engineers were disappointing a lot of people by finishing third in the
ECAC standings.
 
This weekend sees the Engineers undefeated in the ECAC and the Dutchmen with
a 2 game losing streak in the ECAC.
 
The keys to this game from both sides:
 
RPI
1) They must not let Union clog up the neutral zone.  The Engineers must play
puck possession and continue the flow through the neutral zone.
 
2) The Engineers must cut back on the stupid penalties that they take.
The Engineers are averaging close to 20 minutes a game in penalties.  This
cannot happen if they are to succeed.
 
3) Other players must start scoring.  So far it has been the Bryan Richardson
show for the Engineers.  They must get a sustained attack from all
lines, and keep it continuous.  Craig Hamelin has played well, but must
score and shoot.
 
4) The Engineers finally have everyone healthy.  Kelly Askew is back, and
it is important for him to control the game.  He must contribute offensively
and he must play his usual brand of defense.
 
5) Mike Tamburro must continue to be hot.  He has been handed the No. 1
job, and must continue to be outstanding.
 
Union
1) Who gets the start?  Is it Gallant, Villa, or Koenig?  Whoever it is,
Bruce Delventhal must get his goalie to give him a stellar evening.  My
gut is that it is Gallant, who had a magnificent Game 1 against RPI last
year in the playoffs.
 
2)Do not give RPI many power play opportunities.  They were killed by
Army, Harvard, Clarkson, and Brown on the power play.  They must either
stay out of the box, or pick up the penalty kill.
 
3) Control the boards and corners.  The Dutchmen must go into the corners and
the boards with heavy hits and take all the loose pucks away from RPI.
This is where they need to suceed.  If they do, men will get loose in front
of Tamburro, as RPI has a tendency to chase into corners.
 
4) Forecheck, forecheck, forecheck.  One of RPI's biggest liabilities is
the breakout from behind the net.  If Union can get in there and disrupt,
they will control the puck, and the game.
 
5) Score on the power play.  Special teams will play a big part of this
game.  Union must take advantage whenever RPI gets in the box.  They must
solve the Engineers excellent penalty kill, which is only boostered
by the return of Kelly Askew.
 
Hope to see a great game between these two as the rivalry continues to heat
up here in the Capital District.
 
See everyone at the Fieldhouse on Saturday!
 
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* Jayson Moy  RPI '89 '93  *  One of the Voices of Rensselaer Engineer      *
* [log in to unmask]             *  Hockey, Baseball, Football, and Basketball    *
* The "Asian Invasion"     *  on Crystal Clear 91.5FM  WRPI, Troy *EASM*    *
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