Box Score / Post-Game Press Conference

TROY, N.Y. – Freshman Jerry D'Amigo (Binghamton, NY/U.S. National Under-18 Team) delivered the eventual game-winning goal late in the third period to lead the Rensselaer men's hockey team to a 3-2 victory over American International, at the Houston Field House. With the win the Engineers improve to 3-2-1, while the Yellow Jackets move to 0-2-0.

D'Amigo, who finished with three points on a goal and two assists, stuck home a wrap-around on the power-play with 2:34 left in the game, which proved to be the deciding tally. Sophomores Josh Rabbani (Woodland Hills, CA/ St. Louis Bandits) and Mike Bergin (Ottawa, ON/Smiths Falls Bears) earned assists on the game-winner.

Freshman Marty O'Grady (London, ON/Wellington Dukes) gave Rensselaer a 1-0 lead, when he stuffed in a rebound from inside the crease at 5:21 of the first period. Classmates D'Amigo and Brandon Pirri (Toronto, ON/Georgetown Raiders) earned assists on O'Grady's first collegiate goal.

The hosts pushed their advantage to 2-0 on blast from the high slot by Bergin at 8:20 of the second frame. Bergin's shot found it way through a screen and past Yellow Jackets freshman netminder Ben Meisner (Halifax, NS/Winchendon School). Pirri and D'Amigo each earned their second helpers of the contest.

American International pulled to within a goal (2-1) at 18:08 of the second, when freshman Adam Pleskach (Beausejour, MB/Selkirk Steelers) netted his second goal in as many nights. The assists went to junior Tomas Benovic (Trencin, Slovakia/Dukla Trencin) and senior Josh Froese (Winkler, MB/Winkler Flyers).

Off a face-off in the RPI zone, Peskach picked up the puck at the top of the left circle and drifted to the center of the ice before beating freshman goaltender Bryce Merriam (Bethel Park, PA/Topeka RoadRunners) on a shot, stick side. The tying goal (2-2), which came at 3:15 of the third period, was assisted by junior Tom Mele (Bronx, NY/North Iowa).

Merriam (1-0-0) earned the win in net for Rensselaer, making 18 saves, while Meisner came up with 34 stops on the other end of the ice. Both netminders were making their first collegiate starts. The Engineers finished the game 1 for 5 on the man-advantage and did not take a penalty.

The Engineers return to the ice next Friday for a non-league match with Union College in Schenectady (7pm). AIC travels to Milford, Conn., to take on Sacred Heart on Tuesday night (7:05pm).