Men’s Hockey Secures Capital Skates Trophy with RPI Shutout

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Men’s Hockey Secures Capital Skates Trophy with RPI Shutout

TROY, N.Y. – The Union College men’s hockey team successfully defended the Capital Skates Trophy with a decisive 3-0 victory over Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) on Saturday afternoon at the Houston Field House. First-year player Alex Laurenza scored his initial collegiate goal, while sophomore goaltender Cameron Korpi achieved a perfect performance by stopping all 12 shots from RPI.

Game Highlights

The Garnet Chargers, improving to a record of 5-1-1 overall and 1-1-0 in the ECAC Hockey conference, dominated early play. They maintained pressure on RPI, recording 12 shots before RPI managed its first attempt on goal. Union’s early power play set the tone, although they were unable to convert.

First Period Scoring

Union took the lead at the 12:01 mark when Laurenza scored off a rebound during a power play, assisted by sophomores Will Felicio and Drew Sutton. This marked the seventh power-play goal in the last five games for Union, signaling a successful streak.

Defensive Performance

Union’s defense shone as they successfully killed all three penalties against them, extending their run to 20 consecutive penalties killed since October 4. RPI struggled offensively, failing to register a shot for over 12 minutes during the game.

Second Period Developments

Early in the second period, Union’s penalty kill was once again tested, but they emerged unscathed. The Garnet Chargers continued to pressure RPI, which was highlighted by a significant play where Nick Young intercepted a pass, leading to Brandon Buhr’s wrist shot goal. Buhr’s fifth goal of the season solidified Union’s lead.

Final Moments

Junior Tyler Dunbar sealed Union’s victory with an empty-net goal in the game’s final seconds. Korpi’s impressive shutout not only marked his second of the season but also brought his goals-against average to 1.57, the best among conference goaltenders with three starts or more.

Upcoming Matchup

The Garnet Chargers are set to return home on Friday, Nov. 8, for a matchup against Clarkson, scheduled for 7:00 PM.

Key Statistics

Final Score: Union 3, RPI 0
Union Record: 5-1-1 (1-1-0 ECAC)
RPI Record: 1-7-0 (1-1-0 ECAC)
Korpi’s Saves: 12
Power Play Goals: 7 in last 5 games
Penalty Kills: 20 consecutive

This victory secures the Capital Skates Trophy for Union, showcasing their strong performance on both offense and defense as they move forward in the season.