Looks like the 1995 version of the Engineers will stress defense, intermingled with occasional defensive thrusts, returning to a defensive base. This year's team marks the departure of the Buddy system--these guys are big, and like to stand-up their opponents. What remains to be seen is whether these big bodies have speed, and talent around the net. But my guess is that they won't be boring. They'll mix it up, and probably show a little nasty streak as well. This morning's Red/White scrimmage was one of the more entertaining versions I have witnessed. Gone are the streaking forwards moving through the center zone. Instead the offense seems to consist of Brian Richardson and whoever is next to him, and an occasional mass of big bodies skating to the front of the net. Richardson's importance to this year's Engineers is obvious, and the scrimmage only emphasized this fact. Richardson was involved in all four of his white team's scores with linemate Ferguson, the noted transfer from Michigan Tech, the beneficiary of one of Richardson's assists. Ferguson will be an interesting story. He's mean, big and very un-Engineer-like. He seems however to possess a scoring touch, which may mean he won't degrade into a goon/enforcer type. Whether Fridge intends to have him play the wing on Richardson's line is a unknown however. For some unknown reason, regular left winger Tim Regan stood next to the white bench in street clothes, although he didn't appear to be injured. Perhaps Fridge is thinking that the addition of Ferguson would add a physical presence to the Richardson line, a la Clark Gillies on the famous Trottier/Bossy line of the the Islanders. But it may have just been a last minute replacement. For the record, the scoring was as follows: 1. Ferguson (Richardon, Pirrong) 2. Richardon (Ferguson, O'Connor) 3. Ferguson (Richardson) 4. Riva (Battaglia) 5. Healy (Battaglia) 6. Richardson (O'Connor, Murray) 7. Garver (Murphy) 8. Healy (Murphy, Garver) 9. St. Hilaire Lines were as follows: RED Battaglia/Riva/Maye Murphy/Healy/Garver Cunningham/James--I didn't see these two out on ice at all. WHITE O'Connor/Richardson/Ferguson Gosselin/St. Hillaire/Bilodeau Fukes--didn't notice him out on ice either The freshman, as evidenced, will have to play a major part in the offense with the loss of the senior forwards from last year's ECAC Championship team. Standing out was Riva, who seems to have some speed and good ice knowledge. Riva looks like he might shape up to be a decent playmaker, which the Engineers are in desperate need of at present. Also standing out, a not only because of his very substantial size, was Bilodeau, who failed to connect on several scoring attempts. Also winger Garver made a coouple of nifty centering passes one of which resulted in a gift goal for Healy. Undoubtedly the highlight of the scrimmage occurred in the last minutes when mild mannered Eric Healy squared off with defenseman Bryanb Tapper. Both eventually received game misconducts, much to the amusement of the few in attendance. ONn the minus side, Pat Brownlee did not suit up, and according to the fan gossip, has undergone knee surgery. He is definitely out for Lowell, although the severity of his injury is unknown. Also, Chris Kiley departed early in the scrimmage, returning with his shoulder in a sling, and forward Eric Healy also semed to be experience some discomfort with his shoulder. It did not seem to impede his swings against Tapper however. I would think the jury is out on this year's Engineer team. Next Saturday's opener against Lowell may help clarify the Engineer potential. But my guess is that the team will look a little shabby early on. If the freshman forwards have the talent to play through the trapping defenses that will be thrown at them, RPI might begin to hit its stride come January. ****************************************************************************** Brian Morris RPI Engineers--1995 ECAC Champions [log in to unmask] HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey; send information to [log in to unmask], The College Hockey Information List.