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TROY, NY -- After scoring the first three goals of the game, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) allowed three unanswered goals as the 10th-ranked Engineers skated to a 3-3 tie with Harvard on Black Tuesday at Houston Field House. The event marked the 11th time that RPI has celebrated the first ECAC game of the season by wearing specially-designed black uniforms, which were raffled off after the game.

The Engineers jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first period, as Johnny Rogic (Vancouver, BC / Alberni Valley Bulldogs) took assists from Chris Bradley (Williamsville, NY / Youngstown Phantoms) and Matt Tinordi (Severna Park, MD / Olds Grizzlys) at 4:23 to sound the first horn. Just over three minutes later on a power play, Rensselaer doubled its advantage, as Ryan Haggerty (Stamford, CT / US National Dev. Team) netted his nation-leading ninth goal of the season at 7:08, with assists to Jacob Laliberte (Rockland, ON / Cornwall Colts) and Brock Higgs (Kingston, ON / Kingston Voyagers). 

Higgs extended the RPI lead to 3-0 at 15:30, as he carried the puck towards the crease, before making a quick move to knock Harvard goaltender Steve Michalek (Glastonbury, CT / Loomis Chaffee) off balance to find the back of the net. Zach Schroeder (Prior Lake, MN / Saint Thomas Academy) and Luke Curadi (Cheshire, CT / Dubuque Fighting Saints) assisted on the score. Rensselaer finished the period with three goals scored off of four shots on target.

Harvard got on the board at the 7:07 mark of the second period to score the only goal of the stanza. Alexander Kerfoot (West Vancouver, BC / Coquitlam) scored his first collegiate goal off assists from Jimmy Vesey (North Reading, MA / South Shore) and Kyle Criscuolo (Southampton, NJ / Sioux City) with a shot right in front of the crease.

Despite getting their fifth power play opportunity killed by the Engineers to start the third, Harvard pulled to within one goal 3:08 into the period. Sean Malone (West Seneca, NY / US National Dev. Team) waited until just the right moment to pass the puck off to Greg Gozzo (Jupiter, FL / Omaha) who pushed it past RPI's Scott Diebold (Buffalo, NY / Tri-City Storm) for the score. Kevin Guiltinan (London, ON / Vernon) got the secondary assist. 

The Crimson tied the game at 3-3 with a goal by Brian Hart (Cumberland, ME / Phillips Exeter) at 10:48, taking assists from Guiltinan and Tommy O'Regan (Needham, MA / Sioux Falls). After recording 15 shots in the first two periods, Harvard exploded for 15 in the third period alone, holding most of the possession in the stanza. 

The two teams played a scoreless overtime, with Harvard getting the only shot on goal in the extra time. For the game, Harvard outshot the Engineers, 31-25, but Rensselaer won the faceoff battle, 45-22. RPI was 1-for-4 on power play opportunites, while killing all five of Harvard's extra-man attempts. Diebold recorded 28 saves between the pipes for Rensselaer, while Michalek stopped 22 opposing shots for the Crimson.

Rensselaer will return to action on Friday, visiting Harvard for a return game in ECAC action. The puck drops at 7 p.m.