First, a little history: The first
recorded meeting between the Union and Rensselaer hockey teams was 99 years ago – February 24, 1904. Union's first win came in the third meeting
between the two teams – February 23, 1924. The Dutchmen have lost two games to the Engineers in the last seven meetings, and haven't allowed RPI to sweep the regular season series since the 1995-96 season.
After being defeated at the Houston
Field House in December by a score of 4-2, Union has a lot at stake on their home ice. They sit one game below .500 in the ECAC, three points out of fifth and three points out of tenth. While the Dutchmen are in a tie for sixth with seven points, RPI is two points behind in a tie for seventh. Union has lost five of their last six, RPI dropped four of their last five. Never mind the rivalry. Both teams need a win.
The Engineers are coming off of a split
last weekend with Minnesota-Duluth (5-2 W, 2-3 L). Leading RPI are Kevin Croxton (20 GP, 10-10-20) and Nolan Graham (21 GP, 4-12-16). Croxton tallied
a goal and three assists in the December win over Union with Vic Pereira and Ryan Shields accounting for the three other goals. Kevin Kurk
(.912 sv%, 2.43 GAA) and Nathan Marsters
(.903 sv%, 3.24 GAA) split time in net, with Kurk earning the win vs. the Dutchmen earlier this season.
Union lost to ECAC-leading Harvard last
Saturday by a score of 3-1. The Dutchmen are led by Joel Beal (20 GP, 4-18-22), Jordan Webb (20 GP, 11-8-19), Nathan Gillies (19 GP, 8-10-18), and Kris Goodjohn (20 GP, 6-11-17). Beal and Webb tallied goals in the
previous meeting. Kris Mayotte (.913 sv%, 2.94 GAA) and Tim Roth (.883 sv%,
3.22 GAA) continue to be rotated, but Mayotte holds the edge against RPI, having faced them previously.
Union´s Picks to Click: Jordan Webb (So., F, Nepean, Ontario) – leads the Dutchmen with goals scored (11) and power play tallies (5) while leading the team with a +5 rating … Nathan Gillies (Sr., F, Cambridge, Ontario) – leads Union in scoring for league games (3-4-7) and is third overall…Glenn Sanders (Jr., F, Saugus, Massachusetts) – scored Union's lone goal last weekend, his first of the season and Union's first successful penalty shot tally…Kris Mayotte (Fr., G, Finleyville, Pennsylvania) – leads the Dutchmen with a .910 sv% and 3.02 GAA … Kris Goodjohn (Sr., F, Calgary, Alberta) – tied for second in scoring in league games, leads Union with a +2 rating in ECAC games … Joel Beal (So., F, Brantford, Ontario) – leads the Dutchmen in scoring overall (4-18-22).