Box Score

ALBANY, N.Y. – Freshman Allen York (Wetaskiwin, AB/Camrose Kodiaks) made 40 saves for the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) men's hockey team in a 2-1 win over Robert Morris University to capture third place in the 2008 Governor's Cup at the Times Union Center.

The Engineers took the lead 18:12 into the first period when junior defenseman Erik Burgdoerfer (East Setauket, NY/New York Apple Core) took the puck in his own zone, skated all the way into the Robert Morris zone and fired from the top of the left circle. The puck sailed over the shoulder of Colonials goaltender Wes Russell (Springfield, IL/Quinnipiac) for the 1-0 lead.  York, who made 11 saves in the period, was credited with the lone assist on the goal.

The Engineers made it 2-0 with 7:43 left in the second period with a power-play goal. Sophomore Tyler Helfrich (Calgary, AB/Prince George Spruce Kings) sent a cross-ice pass to fellow sophomore Chase Polacek (Edina, MN/Academy of Holy Angels), who one-timed it over the glove hand of Russell. Freshman Patrick Cullen (Washington, DC/Indiana Ice) also garnered an assist on the goal.

The Colonials got one back with 2:22 left in the middle stanza. Senior Matt Krug (Livonia, MI/Wayne State) took a shot from the blueline which sailed wide, but was picked up by sophomore Nathan Longpre (Peterborough, ON/Mahoning Valley Phantoms) behind the net. He quickly put it out front where freshman Trevor Lewis (Lititz, PA/Syracuse Stars) was to take a whack at the puck, getting enough to put it past York.

York earned his first career victory, which was also RPI's first win of the season, in part by making 21 saves in the second period alone.  Russell made 30 saves on the evening, including 15 in the second period.

Rensselaer (1-4-1) next plays at Harvard on November 4 at 7m to open up ECAC league play.  Robert Morris (1-3-1) hosts Alabama-Huntsville for a pair of College Hockey America games starting Friday, October 31.