Black Friday Cometh

Today is Wednesday but it is Halloween and appropriate kickoff to Black Friday at the Field House. Since I live in the NYC area, I have never gone to this event (much less have been able to bid on a jersey which is now becoming much coveted in my household). Its great that a program like RPI with so many traditions (Freakout) and cheers (revolving around the word "suck") can start a new one and have it become an instant classic. I think the dimensions of the HFH help with this. It is a smallish arena and has a real intimate feel to it and when you pump up the crowd with hockey + something else, it usually leads to a special event. I remember as a kid getting those red noise horns every year to cheer on the Cherry and White. It will be an experience that sticks with me before I go senile and I think Black Friday has the same potential.

G Cup Reviewed

Here I am, back fresh from Albany. What a weekend! RPI continues undefeated in G Cup play! And their PP and PK continue to be awful! They are tremendous in person with team speed and creativity. They are terrible in non 5-on-5 situations. Appert was yapping at the refs, Lange and Alford both played well, TH padded the stats but looked a little out of it from my vantage point. Good to see Ornelas play well without benefit of the CEO line. Uryadov creates lots of chances. Is it just me or does RPI have a great collection of international talent for a college program. I mean, St. Petersburg, Klagenfrut and Boca Raton. Craziness. I hope you enjoy the pics!

G Cup

First of all I would like to say hello to the few commentators that have visited this site recently. I have been out and about the last few weeks but will start posting here more regularly.

As for last week's games, RPI SHOULD have won those games and did. I think Appert is finally getting the horses he needs through his great recruiting skills to implement a plan of attack that should take RPI deep into the post season over the next few years.

In terms of the goalie situation as a few commentators pointed out, you can go back to previous posts but I have never been in favor of a rotation of goalies. I personally think you should stick with one and go with it. I have always been a supporter of Lange over Alford due to his rookie year but at this point I am willing to say JUST PICK ONE!

Below are USCHO's picks for the weekend. I will be up in Albany for the Cup and can't wait. I am also looking into getting Helfrich on my Puckman jersey but probably won't get it in time. I am not worried about the Union matchup but if they play SLU I think they may lose. It will be a good early season test for RPI with some solid conference rivals.


Rensselaer vs Union (nc, Governor's Cup)
Rensselaer played well at Minnesota and did away with Army and Sacred Heart last weekend. Union hasn't played an NCAA game in two weeks, and may be a bit rusty. 4-2 'Tute. Shrader: RPI

St. Lawrence vs Rensselaer (nc, Governor's Cup championship)
To reiterate, SLU = favorites. My job = predict probable victor. Favorite = probable winner. Saints, 3-2. Shrader: RPI

This Weekend's Contests

Summaries by Brian Sullivan by USCHO:

Rensselaer @ Army
The Engineers put on a good show at Minnesota, regardless of the results. This weekend, the effort should be rewarded on the scoreboard. 4-1 RPI.

Sacred Heart @ Rensselaer
The Engineers hit Houston once more, hosting Sacred Heart and looking for the four-point weekend. SHU is no pushover, and RPI will have its hands full ... but the win is still there for the taking, 5-3.

He's right, this should be a 4 point weekend. Hopefully, RPI can stay out of the box and my boy Tyler can keep adding to his point totals!

We Played The Big Boys

And lost 2 games. Many people believe the ECAC is light years behind the power conferences and while there is a kernel of truth to this, RPI had a good showing against Minnesota and should have won that game. The BC game, I think you can contribute to a let down after the first game.

What became clear from the game summaries on USCHO is that RPI took way too many penalties which directly lead to penalties. Minn scored 3 PP goals. With BC- 9 penalties in the third period????? Yeeesh.

I have every confidence in Appert, I don't think RPI is quite to the level of the big boys yet, I am much more interested to see how they fare in the ECAC conference this year.

HERE WE GO!

Sure it was against a team that by all rights should be in Division III but damn, a shutout to start the season? I will take it. Plus my "boy" Helfrich got TWO assists! Think TH is the real deal and will be rooting for him during his 4 years here.

Next up- a HUGE test for the Appert system now that he has his "horses". The IceBreaker Invitational. The Engineers play Minnesota, the 6th-ranked team in the nation, on Friday at 8:30pm and either #2 Boston College or #9 Michigan on Saturday at 5:30pm.

Let's Go Red!

Red & White Game This Sunday!

Press Release!

TROY, N.Y. - The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) men’s hockey team will conduct its Annual Red/White Scrimmage this Saturday, October 6, beginning at 5pm at the Houston Field House. Following the scrimmage, which marks the collegiate debuts of the team’s nine newcomers, both the men and women’s teams will take part in the Annual Skate with the Engineers.

Both the scrimmage and the skate, which will begin at approximately 7pm, are free and open to the public. The skate-a-long will run until approximately 8:30pm. All those interested in participating are required to bring their own skates.

Players and coaches from both squads will be on hand to skate, “meet and greet” fans, sign autographs and pose for photos.

Rensselaer’s men’s team finished the 2006-07 season with an overall record of 10-18-8. The 2007-08 Engineers return 17 players from that team, including ten forwards, four defensemen and three goaltenders.

Rensselaer opens the 2007-08 campaign on Tuesday, October 9, against Bentley College at 7pm at the Houston Field House. The Engineers then travel to Minnesota to play in the IceBreaker Tournament at the Xcel Energy Center. RPI plays the University of Minnesota, the fifth-ranked team in the country, on Friday, October 12 (8:30pm) and either #2 Boston College or #10 Michigan on October 13 at 5:30pm.