Box Score Watch (RPI TV) | Box Score

TROY, N.Y. – Junior Mike Juola scored the eventual game-winning goal with 1:44 left in the third period, lifting the Brown University men's hockey team to a, 3-1, victory over Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), this evening in Game 1 of the ECAC Hockey quarterfinals, at the Houston Field House. With the win, the Bears improve to 14-12-6 overall, while the Engineers drop to 17-13-5.

Senior Chris Zaires (Aberdeen, NJ) found Juola (Lake Forrest, CA) just inside the right circle for a quick shot into the top left corner of the net, to put the Bears up 2-1. The tally, which came at 18:16 of the third, was also assisted by junior Jake Goldberg (Langhorne, PA).

After the Engineers were unsuccessful on a few chances with an extra-attacker, Brown buried an empty-net goal from just inside the RPI blue line at 19:50. Freshman Mark Naclerio (Milford, CT/Waterloo Blackhawks) was credited with his sixth of the season, with helpers going to junior Garnet Hathaway (Kennebunkport, ME) and senior Jeff Ryan (Media, PA).

The Bears scored the game's first goal at 8:09 of the first period, when a shot by freshman Nick Lappin (Geneva, IL/Tri-City Storm) deflected to the left side of the net for sophomore Matt Lorito (Oakville, ON), who slammed the puck into a wide open net.

Rensselaer pulled even late in the second period as sophomore Jacob Laliberte (Rockland, ON/Cornwall Colts) netted his 10th of the season sticking home the rebound off a shot by classmate Ryan Haggerty (Stamford, CT/U.S. National Dev. Team) at 19:03 of the stanza.

Brown senior netminder Anthony Borelli (Grand Island, NY) earned the win stopping 26 shots, while RPI freshman Jason Kasdorf (Winnipeg, MB/Des Moines Buccaneers) also had 26 saves.

Both teams are in action tomorrow night for game two of the best-of-three series. Puck drop at the Houston Field House is set for 7pm.