TROY, N.Y. – The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) men's hockey team celebrated their Senior Night on Saturday evening, but fell just short of victory as the Engineers drew a 2-2 tie with the Harvard Crimson but lost 2-1 in a shootout.
 
Both sides played through a scoreless first period before the Engineers jumped in front in the second period. Freshman Brad McNeil redirected a rebound off a shot from Max Smolinski into the net to give RPI the 1-0 lead.
 
RPI held the one goal lead into the third period before Harvard scored to even the score at 1-1. At the 5:55 mark, Ryan Fine let go a wrist shot that found the five-hole of Jack Watson to help the Crimson even the score.
 
It didn't take long for the Engineers to regain the lead, as Tyler Hotson scored courtesy of a well-timed play from Ryan Brushett. As Harvard attempted to break out from their own defensive zone, Brushett stuck out his stick and intercepted the pass. He found Hotson on the right side of the ice wide open for a one-timer to give the Engineers a 2-1 lead.
 
As time wound down, the Engineers saw the Crimson pull the goalie with less than two minutes to play. With the net empty, Harvard was able to find an equalizer from Casey Severo to make things 2-2. That score stood through overtime, and into a shootout.
 
Both sides connected on their first attempt in the shootout before Harvard took an advantage in the second round. With the Engineers going first, the third round was no good for the Engineers, giving Harvard the 2-1 win in the shootout.
 
The Engineers return to action next Friday, March 1 at 7 p.m. when they take on Colgate on the road.