TROY, N.Y. – The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) men's hockey team fell 5–1 to No. 8 Quinnipiac University tonight in Houston Field House, a game highlighted by the program's annual Teddy Bear Toss, which saw more than 100 stuffed animals rain down onto the ice from the home crowd in support of the St. Catherine's Center for Children, Ronald McDonald House, and Boys & Girls Clubs of the Capital Region.



The Engineers broke through in the third period when Kazimier Sobieski scored unassisted at 7:02, blasting home a loose puck from the high slot for his third goal of the season. The tally triggered the celebratory Teddy Bear Toss celebration as fans launched stuffed toys onto to the ice to be collected and donated to local children's charities.

Quinnipiac jumped ahead early with two first-period goals and extended the lead with three more in the second. RPI settled in after the midway point, limiting the Bobcats to only six shots in the third and generating steady offensive-zone time late.

Goaltender Bruno Bruveris made 22 saves, including nine in the opening frame, holding firm during extended penalty-kill sequences. RPI finished with 18 blocked shots overall and went a perfect 3-for-3 on the penalty kill.

The Engineers finish the first half of the season tomorrow versus Princeton. Puck drop is set for 6:00 pm in Houston Field House.