TROY, N.Y. – Powered by a 23-save shutout effort from netminder Allen York and a combined eight points from its top line, the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) men's hockey team blanked Bentley University, 3-0, in non-conference action at the Houston Field House. The Engineers pick up their first victory of the season and move to 1-2-1, while the Falcons drop to 0-2-0.

York (Wetaskiwin, AB/Camrose Kodiaks) stopped eight shots in both the first and second periods, while posting seven saves in the final stanza en-route to his third career shutout.

After a scoreless first period of play, which saw RPI kill off two 5-on-3 opportunities, the Engineers gained the lead in the second stanza on goals by seniors Chase Polacek (Edina, MN/Academy of Holy Angels) and Tyler Helfrich (Calgary, AB/Prince George Spruce Kings).

Setting up on the power play, Helfrich slid low into the far circle and backhanded the puck across the slot. Polacek skated in on the left side and buried it past Falcons' goalie Branden Komm (Williamsville, NY/Northfield Mount Hermon) just 30 seconds into the frame.

Rensselaer grabbed a two-goal lead at the 9:16 mark after sophomore Nick Bailen (Fredonia, NY/Indiana Ice) carried the puck in on the right side and passed it cross-ice to Polacek in the far circle. He slid it through the slot to Helfrich, who roofed a shot over the shoulder of Komm for the Engineers second extra-man tally.

The Engineers third goal featured precision passing on a 3-on-2 with sophomore forward CJ Lee (Staten Island, NY/Green Bay Gamblers) banging in a shot off a pass from the slot by Helfrich, who started the play after carrying the puck down the middle before shifting it right to Polacek in the circle. A pass back to Helfrich put the goalie out of position as the puck went to Lee for an open shot at 1:50.

Bentley put the pressure on late in the period, including a power play chance with a minute remaining, but the RPI defense held strong for the win. In net for the Falcons, Komm stopped 21 shots.

Rensselaer is back on the ice next weekend with a pair of games on Family Weekend. The Engineers host Rochester Institute of Technology on Friday before welcoming Niagara University on Saturday. Both games begin at 7pm at the Houston Field House. Bentley is also in action next weekend, traveling to Clarkson University for a pair of games.