It’s a different story for this year’s RPIUnion series
TROY, NY >> Last year as RPI and Union entered the rivalry series, RPI was winless through their first three games and Union hadn’t lost a game.
This year, things are a little different as RPI comes in 2-2 and Union comes in winless with an 0-6 record.
“I don’t look at it as a favorite, I look at it as a rivalry weekend. The experiences of last year are part of it for both teams, also the experiences both teams have had up to now this season have helped create the focus and the energy that is going to go into Friday night,” said RPI Head Coach Dave Smith. “The past is important if you learn from it. I think we have recent experience and last year’s experience to know we have got to be ready.”
Last season RPI swept Union
in the early season home and home series. RPI beat Union 5-3 at home before traveling to Union to beat them 4-2. The two entered a shoot out on January 26 to decide the winner of the Mayor’s Cup, which went to Union in the official tie.
“We are preparing for their best and we are going to give them our best,” said RPI Captain Will Reilly. “We don’t put anything into their record.”
Union’s losses have not been to easy teams. They started the season with a 7-3 loss to Boston University before falling to West Point 3-2. They were then swept by No. 15 Northeastern and No. 4 UMass in back to back weekends.
“We’ve seen every game they have played, every power play and penalty kill. There should be no surprises,” said Smith. “I take more away from how coach Bennett has his guys play hard than I do their 0-6 record.”
As for if Smith is surprised by the lack of offense from the Dutchmen?
“Nothing surprises me in this game. I don’t think there’s any magical formula.”
RPI enters the Union series on the back of a 7-2 win over Smith’s former team, Canisius College. In the win Patrick Polino totaled four points as his line of Jake Marello and Billy Jerry combined for eight in the win.
Smith is 2-3-1 against Union as the Head Coach of RPI. Union’s Rick Bennett is 15-8-1 as the Dutchmen Head Coach against
RPI. Bennett also had the pleasure of sweeping RPI in the ECAC Tournament in his first season as Union’s Head Coach.
Polino received ECAC Player of the Week honors for his efforts in the win.
“It’s nice to get that accolade, but I think that came because the team played so well Saturday night,” said Polino. “We did all the little things well and it came because I was in the right spot a couple of times. It gives me confidence but as a team you look to build on Saturday.”
Polino is excited about the opportunity to stick with Jerry and Marello on the same line. Smith as shook up the roster and lines over the course of the first few weeks and doesn’t see that stopping anytime soon.
“I don’t think we are done evolving as individuals on the ice or as a team, or definitely not as a team,” said Smith. “When we move guys it is for a reason, either trying to find a little more or just something a little bit different. We’ll see how it falls.”
In net, Smith has split time between Linden Marshall and Owen Savory this season. Both are 1-1. Savory’s .910 save percentage and 3.02 goals against are better than Marshall’s .886 save percentage and 4.00 goals against.
“One of those two guys will play Friday night,” said Smith on who is starting.
Polino currently leads RPI with six points and he is trailed by Simon Kjellberg and Ottoville Leppanen, who each have four points.
Union is led by Anthony Rinaldi’s three points and Joe Compolieto and Sean Harrison’s two points.