Box Score

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – Junior Chase Polacek scored at 1:58 of overtime to lead Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) to a 4-3 come-from-behind win over Union College in a non-league game before a sold out crowd of 2,327 at Messa Rink. Polacek finished the night with two goals and an assist as RPI improved to 4-2-1. The Dutchmen fall to 3-3-1.

The Engineers increased its unbeaten streak to four games (3-0-1) with the help of a late power play goal from junior Bryan Brutlag (Lakeville, MN/Academy of Holy Angels) and Polacek's game-winner.

Skating with the man-advantage late in regulation, Brutlag scored on a slap shot through traffic at the 17:06 mark. Polacek's (Edina, MN/Academy of Holy Angels) game-winner came when he knocked a loose puck into the back of the net from the crease. Senior Paul Kerins (Weston, ON/North York Rangers) assisted on both goals.

Union jumped out to a 1-0 lead with a power play goal at 16:10 of the first period. Freshman Wayne Simpson (Boxborough, MA/Lawrence Academy) gained control of the puck in the left faceoff circle, skated around the outstretched netminder, Allen York (Wetaskiwin, AB/Camrose Kodiaks), and slid it into the net. Classmate Jeremy Welsh (Bayfield, ON/Oakville Blades) and senior John Simpson (Boxborough, MA/Lawrence Academy), Wayne's older brother, were credited with the assists.

The Engineers needed just 1:25 to tie the game when Brandon Pirri (Toronto, ON/Georgetown Raiders) deflected a Jerry D'Amigo (Binghamton, NY/U.S. Under-18 Team) pass over Union goalie Corey Milan (Great Barrington, MA/Penticton Vees). Marty O'Grady (London, ON/Wellington Dukes) also assisted on the play. The goal was a team-best fourth of the season for Pirri, the center on an all-freshmen line.

Polacek gave RPI a 2-1 lead at 2:57 of the second period with a power play goal on a wrist shot from the slot off a pass from D'Amigo. Sophomore defenseman Mike Bergin (Ottawa, ON/Smiths Falls Bears) earned the second assist on the goal, Polacek's third of the season.

Like Rensselaer before them, the Dutchmen came right back with the tying goal. Junior Stephane Boileau (Blainville, PQ/Ste. Jerome Panthers) knotted the score when he knocked in a loose puck off a scramble in front at the 5:40 mark. Union went ahead with 1:38 left in the frame on a slap shot from senior Mario Valery-Trabucco (Montreal, PQ/Northwood School). Boileau carried the puck down the right side and dropped a pass to Valery-Trabucco, who scored from the right faceoff dot.

York stopped 19 shots for the win for RPI, which was 2 for 5 on the power play. Milan finished with 20 saves on the other end.

The Engineers return home on Saturday night to take on Army in Military Appreciation Night (7pm). The Dutchmen are back on the ice next Friday when they begin the ECAC Hockey schedule against Brown University in Schenectady (7pm).