In a true display of RPI’s grit and determination, the Engineers set to make good on a promise to their family and fans: a playoff victory. The first game of the Dartmouth series saw Rensselaer tie the game at the beginning of the third and eventually net the game winner in overtime.

“Even though our regular season record wasn’t what we expected or wanted out of the year, we knew what we were capable of doing,” explained sophomore defenseman John Kennedy. “If anything, the lack of wins in the regular helped drive us in the playoffs.”

Big Green sophomore Scott Fleming put Dartmouth on the board early, when just four minutes into the game he was able to push a pass from classmate Adam Estoclet past freshman goaltender Allen York. Both teams saw their fair share of puck control in the opposing team’s zones, but it took the end of the frame for the Engineers to get on the boards. At 18:33, senior Seth Klerer netted his sixth goal of the season—with assists to classmate Andrei Uryadov and junior Erik Burgdoerfer—to tie the game at one. Fleming would strike again, however, scoring his 13th goal of the year to put Dartmouth in the lead at 7:09.

Many teams might see their young players as a hindrance to their performance; however, for RPI, they made up the backbone of the day’s win. Two freshmen forwards netted their first collegiate goals to tie the game and eventually take the win in the overtime period.

Just over two minutes into the start of the third frame, freshman Jordan Watts tied the game at two, with assists going to sophomores Joel Malchuk and Jeff Foss. While the rest of the period saw each team battle it out for the go-ahead marker, neither squad was able to find the back of the net. Dartmouth saw a prime opportunity at the end of the third, but York stood tall in net, blocking several point-blank attempts as the final whistle blew.

Midway through the overtime frame, freshman Christian Morissette was able to redirect a shot from the point by Foss past freshman goalie Jody O’Neill for the game-winner.

York, in only his 11th game of the season, proved his worth as he stopped 31 shots on the night, while counterpart O’Neill made 33 saves.

With one win behind them, the Engineers knew it would take only one more to advance to the next round. Three different players tallied goals, and York stopped 26 of 27 shots as RPI swept the series, taking game two by a score of 3-1.

Rensselaer’s leading scorer, sophomore Chase Polacek, netted his 11th of the year at 12:23 in the first as he wristed a shot past O’Neill from between the circles. Dartmouth came back to tie the game up less than three minutes later, as junior Joe Gaudet deflected a shot from the point by sophomore Evan Stephens for the equalizer. This would be the last goal the Big Green would score for the season, as RPI placed two more on the board in the second to secure the win.

As on the night before, it was the freshman class that led the Engineers to victory. Alex Angers-Goulet’s wrist shot from the top of the face-off circle sailed over O’Neill’s shoulder for his seventh of the year at 5:42. Nearly 11 minutes later, rookie Josh Rabbani netted the final goal of the night at 16:01, with a shot that hugged the post and once again snuck past O’Neill.

Neither team was able to convert in the third period, despite many solid chances by the Dartmouth offense. RPI’s defense proved stronger, ending the game with the Engineers up 3-1. O’Neill finished the night with 18 saves, bringing the Big Green’s record to 14-14-3 overall and 11-9-2 in the ECAC.

Once the momentum builds, it’s hard to stop. The Engineers proved that with another stellar victory, this time over No. 9 in the nation Cornell University Big Red in the ECAC quarterfinals.

“The team, as a whole, had a great week of preparation before heading to Ithaca,” explained Foss. “From the video breakdowns the coaches provided us with to our captain [senior Matt Angers-Goulet] showing us on the ice how hard we needed to work, we were able to be successful against Cornell.”

On Friday, freshman Patrick Cullen scored the only goal of the game—his 10th of the season—with less than three minutes remaining in play. Cullen picked up the loose puck at the top of the left circle, and ripped a shot past junior goalie Ben Scrivens into the top right corner of the net. In an attempt to find the equalizer, Cornell pulled Scrivens in favor of the extra skater with 58 seconds left on the clock, but could not register a single shot on net due to the tenacity and determination of the RPI defense.

The first period was heavily controlled by the Big Red, who outshot the Engineers by a 7-4 margin. Despite having two power play opportunities, Cornell was unable to convert, and the game remained scoreless. In a more evenly matched second frame, RPI held a number of scoring chances as the Engineers’ offense peppered Scrivens during two power play occasions, although no goals were scored.

York finished the night with 32 saves—including 15 in the third period alone—to register his first career shutout, while Scrivens ended the day with 13 stops.

Returning to Lynah Rink for game two and another possible sweep, the Engineers were shut down by the Big Red’s defense and fell by a score of 4-0 on the road. Senior Evan Barlow netted two power play goals, including the game-winner, to tie the series at one and force a decisive game three.

Barlow’s first goal of the second game came at the tail end of the first period. After getting a cross-ice pass from junior Blake Gallagher, he was able to one-time a low shot from the right circle to just inside the post past York at 18:30, thanks to a 5-on-3 man advantage.

Sophomore Riley Nash made the score 2-0 with an even-strength goal at 13:14 of the second frame. Classmate Michael Kennedy’s shot from the point was blocked by York, but R. Nash was able to collect the rebound and send it between York’s legs for his 12th of the year. Junior Brendon Nash also assisted on the play. Barlow added his second of the night with 20 seconds remaining in the period, with assists from B. Nash and freshman Mike Devin.

The Engineers could not get a break from the referees this game, as Cornell took advantage of another 5-on-3 power play opportunity to bring the score to 4-0. Senior captain Colin Greening buried a rebound at the right of RPI’s net at 18:47 for his 13th of the season. Following remarks during the previous game about the officiating, Cornell’s Head Coach Mike Scafer was suspended for the night’s game, which saw 28 penalties dealt out for of 59 minutes—41 of which were credited to Rensselaer.

Making 40 saves through the first two periods, York was relieved by senior Mathias Lange for the third frame, who made 12 stops of his own. Scrivens had 12 saves and the win.

“With winning the first game we had their backs against the wall,” explained Kennedy.  “By not coming out attacking right away in game two, we gave them life and belief they could win. Plus, we took more penalties than we wanted to, and playing short-handed half—if not more—of the game will hinder your chances of winning.”

With both RPI and Cornell each holding a win under their belts, their seasons came down to this one last game—with the winners advancing to the ECAC semifinals in Albany, and the losers heading back home to either start or end its respective spring breaks. Despite a third-period run by the Engineers, the Big Red prevailed, taking the game by a score of 4-3.

Scoring his third goal in two games, Barlow claimed the lead for Cornell at the end of the first frame. Barlow collected the puck behind the RPI net, and beat York from inside the right circle for his 10th goal of the year. Even though RPI held a 13-8 advantage in shots—including five in two different power play opportunities—the Engineers were unable to tie the game up in the opening period.

M. Angers-Goulet tallied a shorthanded goal midway through the second period to knot the game up at one. After grabbing the puck in his own defensive zone, M. Angers-Goulet rushed out of the zone alongside his brother Alex for a 2-on-1, and rocketed the puck over Scriven’s right shoulder for his sixth of the season.

The Big Red came back strong with three straight goals by Barlow, M. Kennedy, and freshman Kier Ross to pull ahead 4-1 entering into the third and final period of play.

Like the night before, it seemed Cornell had the game in the bag; however, RPI was not done with the series yet. “We knew it was now or never. We were fighting for our lives, and knew we had to lay it all out on the ice or our season would be in jeopardy,” explained Foss.

Sophomore Scott Halpern cut the goal deficit to two at 5:16 of the third when he backhanded a rebounded shot by classmate Joel Malchuk from the edge of the crease. With 1:30 remaining in the game, York was pulled in favor of the extra skater. Strong pressure by the Engineers in Cornell’s defensive zone led to a goal by Foss with 56 seconds remaining in regulation.

The Engineers tried to find the equalizer in the final seconds of play, but Cornell’s defense stood tall to retain the 4-3 margin.

Scrivens made 31 saves on the night to bring Cornell to a 20-8-4 overall record and 13-6-3 in the ECAC, while York made 22 stops on the evening. RPI finishes its season 10-27-2 overall and 6-15-1 in the ECAC.

Despite the many downfalls at the beginning of the season, it was still memorable year for the Engineers. “Some of the best moments in the season were going on the road and beating Princeton in their own arena,” said Kennedy. “Along with that, sweeping Dartmouth in the first round, when we were the clear underdogs. Last, watching our team in the final weekend against Cornell. Each man put his heart and soul on the ice. From blocking shots, taking and giving hits, to making plays, and playing through injuries. That alone made me feel proud and privileged to wear an RPI uniform.”

It was a rough start for the Engineers, who saw a record number of regular season losses this past year. However, with continued strong recruiting from Head Coach Seth Appert and sustained great play from the sophomore and freshman classes, RPI can look forward to many successful seasons ahead. “I expect us to pick up right where we left off on Sunday night right into our first game next season against [The University of Massachusetts] Amherst,” predicts Foss. “I know we will work hard in the off-season so that we can become even more successful next year. Hard work always pays off.”

Editors Note: Page 20 photo by Sara Melikian.