Home Against The North Country

St. Lawrence and Clarkson (who still sucks) comes into the HFH this weekend. And what a weekend it could be. As everyone is aware in Cherry and White land, RPI is on a bit of a roll and going up against StL which has been mired in the ECAC's basement along with RPI and is 0-4-1 in its last 5. If RPI wants to keep its roll going, this is the team to do it against.

On Saturday, RPI faces off against Clarkson and this will be a tougher test. Clarkson is playing about .500 hockey but beat Yale last weekend. What is working in RPI's favor though is that the majority of Clarkson's wins this year have been at home and their record is pretty spotty away. If RPI really takes it to StL then I think they should definitely continue their roll over Clarkson for another 4 point weekend.

That is my prediction and I am sticking to it! Go Red!


As always, here are USCHO's picks:

St. Lawrence at Rensselaer

An RPI win would move them out of last place and into a tie with the Saints. The Engineers were the only team to get four points last weekend, while St. Lawrence is mired in an 0-4-1 rut. What the heck…make it three in a row for RPI. RPI 3-1

Clarkson at Rensselaer

Don’t look now, but another RPI four-point weekend couple with another winless Yale weekend would make the two teams dead even. Of course, that’s looking too far ahead, as the Engineers still have to get by the Golden Knights,  who emerged from a holiday slump to go 2-0-1 over their last three.  Clarkson 2-1

Read more: http://www.uscho.com/ecac-blog/2012/01/26/ecac-picks-jan-27-28/#ixzz1kftUMmIm

I Know I Know

I have been a bad RPI fan this month. Not many blog posts, not much analysis, not much of anything.

The reason is the 2011 version of this team wore me down. They struggled mightily against the non-conference foes and ECAC alike. So what have they done in the month of January? Only have gone 3-2-1 with a weekend sweep against Brown and Yale ON THE ROAD.

Is up down? Black white? I though RPI was about a .500 team this year and it seems like they are finally playing like it, and yes, that is a good thing!

There are some great positives to take away for the last few weeks. First and foremost, scoring. RPI is averaging 2.1 goals in wins and losses which is great. The juniors and seniors are starting to lead the team in points and while I am a firm believer in the future is now and we should play the youngin's as much as possible but having the tested Cherry and White step to the forefront midway through the season is welcomed.

Also welcomed is Merriam increasing his save percentage as well as lowering his GAA over the last few weeks. This team is rounding into form and makes me much more interested in the season. This is my 248th blog post over the last few years and I have to admit to some Engineers fatigue over the last few months. That being said, this team is re-energized and has re-energized me and I can't wait for this weekend. Previews coming up!

Halo RPI-Verse!

Well, I took a couple of weeks off for the holidays. What did I miss? Oh yea, 3 more losses. At least RPI is stepping it up in the offensive category and scoring a a 2 goal a clip game but the defense has completely abandoned the lads having let up 15 goals in 3 games.

We have to face facts as the team turns in January, it just isn't very good. The goaltending isn't helping either. Merriam is 2-11 but his save percentage is at least above .900 which is better than the frosh Diebold. The mantra should be "the future is now" when it comes to goaltending and the rest of the team. 4 of the top 5 scorers on the team are the freshmen and sophomores.

There are 16 games left and I am a diehard Cherry and White as you guys know but I think at this point we have to play for next year and that means major minutes for the youngs.

On the plus side, RPI will be on the NBC Sports Network this Friday night as they go up against the Big D. Also on tap this weekend is Harvard with both games at the HFH. Of RPI's 4 wins this season, 3 have come at home. I would love for the lads to suck it up and sweep the weekend. We will see if they do.

As always, GO WHITE!