Route 7 Rivalry: Parts 2 and 3 Take Place This Weekend

It's that wonderful time of the year where two schools get to hate each other for an entire weekend. Isn't it awesome?!

The Union-RPI rivalry is one of the fiercest rivalries in all of college hockey, and it has become even more energized due to Union's recent surge from cellar dweller to a national ranked team over the past few years. Heading into Friday's matchup at Messa Rink the Dutchmen are ranked 12th in the country, while RPI is 18th making this weekend even more important. Both rinks should be rocking all weekend, and are each hosting a "Blackout" night.

The two teams met two weekends ago at Lake Placid and tied 3-3 thanks to Mat Bodie's game-tying goal with about 30 seconds left in regulation. For more on the game click here.

You should expect shis weekend's games to be the same since every game between these teams in recent memory have been absolute classics.

All-time RPI holds a 44-22-10 advantage in the rivalry, including a 28-19-9 record in Division I play. But, over the past few years Union has dominated going 7-1-2 in their last 10 games. Also, Head Coach Nate Leaman is 12-5-3 all-time against the Engineers. The first game of this rivalry took place on February 26, 1904 where the Engineers topped the Dutchmen 6-2. Union won their first game of the series on February 23, 1924 with a 7-0 win in Schenectady.

Union is currently riding a seven game unbeaten streak (4-0-3), while the Engineers come off of a win at Dartmouth (4-1) and a loss at Harvard (1-0) last weekend.

RPI is currently has the top ranked defense in the nation among teams that have played at least three games as they are averaging just 1.67 goals allowed per game. Union on the other hand is third in overall defense among teams that have played at least three game (1.80 goals allowed per game), fourth in overall offense (4.20 goals per game), and has the best power-play unit in the country (17-of-44, 38.64%).

My prediction: A weekend sweep for the Dutchmen... 2-1 Union, 3-2 (OT) Union

Players To Look For: RPI
Pretty much the same cast of characters here:


Nick Bailen '13



Chase Polacek: is the reigning ECAC Player of the Year... leads RPI in scoring with five goals, six assists, and 11 points... scored two goals last weekend in a win over Dartmouth... one of the fastest players in all of college hockey.

Nick Bailen: leads all ECAC defensemen in scoring with two goals and six assists.

Allen York: allowed just one goal last weekend to begin ECAC play... fourth in the nation among goaltenders with at least four games in GAA (1.62) and save percentage (.939).

Players To Look For: Union
Once again, the same cast of characters:

Adam Presizniuk: is third in the nation with 17 points... needs just one point and one assist to become Union's D-I all-time points and assists leader passing Jason Walters '10 and Joel Beal '05, respectively.

Keith Kinkaid: also allowed just one goal last weekend to open up ECAC play... tops in the nation among goalies with at least four appearances with a 1.38 GAA and is second with a .943 save percentage.

Stephane "The Professor" Boileau '11



Stephane Boileau: leads all current Dutchmen with 10 points (3 goals, 7 assists) against the Engineers.

For more go to Union Athletics.com.