Dutchmen escape Field House with 1-1 tie

The men’s hockey team and the Skating Dutchmen of Union College battled to a 1-1 tie in Saturday’s game in the Houston Field House.

The first two periods were scoreless, even though the Engineers generated a lot of offense. The puck was back and forth throughout the game, but it didn’t spend much time on Goalie Nathan Marsters’ side of the ice.

Even though RPI created a lot of scoring opportunities, the puck couldn’t get past Union netminder Brandon Snee.

“I don’t think it was so much him coming up with big saves as much as it was we were shooting at him tonight,” said Head Coach Dan Fridgen. “I can think of a lot of shots that just hit him right in the midbelly.”

Marsters, on the other hand, did come up with a couple of big saves, including a spectacular one on a Union two-on-one breakaway.

“He came up with a great glove save to keep us in it,” said senior Matt Murley.

“I thought Nathan was real strong in there for us,” said Fridgen.

The scoreboard finally lit up at the beginning of the third period with a power play goal by Murley. Marc Cavosie saved the puck from crossing the blue line by diving after the puck and passing it back to Murley. Cavosie drew two Union players with him, leaving Murley with enough room to put a well-placed shot past Snee.

“Marc made an unbelievable play,” said Murley. “Carson and Nolan were causing havoc up front and I just found the corner.”

“That was an NHL shot right there,” said Union Head Coach Ken Sneddon.

Cavosie and Murley made a good play, said Fridgen. “They’re really creative players,” he said. “There’s two of them out there. If you’re paying too much attention to either one, there are other guys who can put the puck in the net.”

Murley’s goal seemed to spark the Dutchmen. They started generating some more offense, and came back less than 90 seconds later with an even-strength goal. A high shot went over Marsters’ head and rolled down his back into the goal.

“It was a fluky one—it goes in off the back of Nathan’s head. I don’t think that’ll make the ESPN highlights,” said Fridgen.

Union and RPI were back and forth for much of the rest of the period. At a few points, Rensselaer spent a large part of the time icing the puck out of their zone, but managed to get some offense back near the end of the period. Neither team put another goal up though, leading to overtime.

Neither team put up much offense in the five-minute overtime period. RPI put up one shot and Union shot two, leaving the final score at 1-1.

RPI showed off strong special teams Saturday. The Engineers were one-of-four with a man advantage and killed three Union power plays. They also put up some strong offense on their other power plays.

“Obviously we had the advantage there, just as far as the power play is concerned,” said Fridgen.

The Engineers were strong throughout the game, but couldn’t seem to connect on the goals.

“It would have helped if we could have got a couple earlier,” said Murley.

“We’re creating opportunities,” said Fridgen. “I thought we could have executed a little better in around the goal.”

As long as they keep creating opportunities, the scoring will come eventually, he said. “As long as the work ethic is there, you really can’t fault them.”

The goalies kept the game from opening up. “[Snee] was fantastic tonight, as was Nathan Marsters,” said Sneddon.

Both teams played good offense and defense. “I thought it was a great college hockey game all around,” said Sneddon.

Senior Jim Henkel agreed. “They’re a great team over there. They love to play us, we love to play them. It’s a great rivalry.”