Box Score / Watch Game (RPI TV)

TROY, N.Y. – Six players scored for the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) men's hockey team in a 6-2 victory over Acadia University, this evening in an exhibition match-up, at the Houston Field House.

After the visitors struck first – just 5:14 into the game – RPI senior defenseman Nick Bailen (Fredonia, NY/Indiana Ice) evened the score at 1-1, with a drive from the right point, at 12:28 of the stanza. Juniors Brock Higgs (Kingston, ON/Kingston Voyageurs) and Matt Tinordi (Severna, MD/Olds Grizzlys) earned the assists on the tying goal.

Sophomore Mark McGowan (Toronto, ON/Oalkville, ON/Oakville Blades) gave the Engineers a 2-1 less than two minutes later, when he skated in from the top of the left circle and picked out the top right corner of the net.

Acadia pulled even at 2-2 early in the second, as an RPI giveaway at the offensive blue line turned into a breakaway opportunity the other way. Dustin Ecelman flipped the puck ahead to Joe Gaynor, who deked sophomore goaltender Scott Diebold (Buffalo, NY/Tri-City Storm) for the tally.

The Engineers regained the lead at 5:59 of the second frame, on a one-timer goal from sophomore Jacob Laliberte (Rockland, ON/Cornwall Colts). Classmate Matt Neal (Minesing, ON/Stoufville Spirit) zipped a pass across the slot to Laliberte, who buried a shot past the sprawling effort of Acadia goalie Peter DiSalvo. Bailen picked up the second helper on the go-ahead marker.

Rensselaer added three more goals in the third period to stretch the hosts advantage to 6-2. Neal, Milos Bubela and Haggerty all scored to extended was a one-goal advantage heading into the frame.

Neal (1 goal, 2 assists) and Higgs (3 assists) led the way offensively for the Engineers, while freshman goaltender Jason Kasdorf (Winnipeg, MB/Des Moines Buccaneers) stopped all nine shots he faced in the third period. Senior Bryce Merriam (Bethel Park, PA/Topeka RoadRunners) made five saves on six shots in the first period, while Diebold stopple eight of nine shots in the second.

The Engineers are back in action next weekend, when they open their regular season against Ferris State at the Houston Field House. Puck drop on both Friday and Saturday against the Bulldogs is set for 7pm.