TROY, N.Y. –
Nate Krawchuk turned aside all 36 shots he faced and
Rainers Rullers scored twice as the RPI men's hockey team opened the 2026-27 season with a 3-0 victory over Ohio State, which received votes in the most recent USCHO.com poll, tonight at Houston Field House.
Ohio State generated several early opportunities, but Krawchuk kept the Buckeyes off the board with 14 saves in the opening period. RPI broke through late in the frame when
Filip Sitar finished a setup from
Luke Goukler to give the Engineers a 1-0 advantage heading into the first intermission.
The Engineers' penalty kill delivered a key stretch midway through the second period after RPI was assessed a five-minute major. Ohio State generated seven shots during the extended advantage, but Krawchuk stopped each attempt while Sitar and
Caleb Hadland also produced a pair of shorthanded chances at the other end. RPI finished the night a perfect four-for-four on the penalty kill.
RPI doubled its advantage late in the second.
Thomas Klassek put a shot on goal before Rullers followed the play and found the back of the net, with Klassek and
James Guo earning assists to send the Engineers into the second intermission ahead 2-0.
Krawchuk and the Engineers continued to hold off Ohio State throughout the final period, successfully killing two more Buckeye power plays. RPI's defense blocked 17 shots on the night, including four from
Ryan Michael, as Ohio State continued to press for its first goal.
The Buckeyes pulled their goaltender with just over two minutes remaining, but Krawchuk preserved the shutout before Rullers sealed the victory with an unassisted empty-net goal in the closing seconds for his second tally of the night.
Krawchuk finished with 36 saves to earn the shutout in his first start of the season, stopping 14 shots in the first, 12 in the second and 10 in the third. Rullers accounted for two of RPI's three goals, while Sitar registered the game-winner and led the Engineers with five shots on goal.
