RPI MEN START OFF 0-2, BUT GROWING
TROY>> RPI Men’s Hockey picks up the 2018-19 season 0-2 after dropping both games in a home and home series with UMass- Amherst this past weekend.
Though the results on the scoreboard were not what the Engineers may have wanted, the step forward from Friday night’s game to Saturday was significant, and one that the Engineer’s hope to build on moving forward.
“We played with much more purpose tonight,” said RPI Head Coach Dave Smith. “We were much faster, much harder on pucks, much more disciplined as a group. I think we did a nice job - Not happy that we didn’t win, but we’ve got to continue to take steps to be relentless and keep being fast.”
After going 6-27- 4 last season, the assumption is that RPI is frustrated at the lack of results. But, this is just the second year of the Smith regime, and like Smith said, they are still searching for their identity, which looks to be of a fast paced, high intensity, puck moving team. Smith thinks steps were taken towards that from game one to game two.
“Those guys are feeling their way. There are little victories that let us walk that fine line of being positive, understanding where we are, but still climbing,” said Smith. “I fly from 30,000 feet and look down on our program and I can see
we are getting better, and I can see we have positive influencers in the locker room, and I can see what other teams are doing as well. We want to continue to push forward. We don’t want to blow sunshine anywhere, but we have to be truthful, and celebrate the little victories that are in them.”
One thing that the Engineer’s can zone in on is the quick progress of the power play from Friday to Saturday. On Friday, the Engineer’s were 1- 6 on the man advantage. On Satur-
day, it was 1- 5.
“Last night I thought we were garbage, tonight I thought we were much better. We still have some habits that need to be corrected, but we’ve scored two goals,” said Smith. “It’s much better to learn lessons in a positive way than a negative way. I’m happy with a lot of things on the power play.”
Now 2-11 with 16 shots on the man advantage, both goals this season for RPI have come a man up.
Both power play goals also happen to be scored by Jakub Lacka, who left the ice Saturday holding his left forearm. A big offensive loss early, Smith was not able to comment
on the injury.
UMass was 4-10 with 19 shots in the series after an explosive four for seven night Friday with 16 shots.
“That was a big issue with last night’s game,” said starting goalie in games one and two Linden Marshall. “We took a lot of stick penalties and it cost us, obviously. Tonight that was a big focus for us was to bare down, do our jobs on the PK’s, and we did our job.”
Captain Tommy Grant chimed in on the penalty kill.
“Being one of those guys, it’s more comfortable in our own rink, perception wise,” said Grant.
“I thought we did a good job. If you let Linden see the puck he is going to stop it, so we tried to focus on boxing guys out and stuff like that.”
Speaking of Marshall, Saturday night was a good rebound for the sophomore goalkeeper after being pulled Friday just two periods into work.
“Last night wasn’t the goalies issue, he just happened to be the last guy before the puck entered the net and I thought he battled hard last night,” said Smith. “He’s got some things to work on, but he’s a diligent pro and he’s doing those things. I’m fairly happy with his performance.”