Yale drops another

A quick post-game recap from RPI's 2-1 victory over Yale Saturday.

• Bryce Merriam was in the zone, turning away 19 in the second period and 19 much more difficult attempts in the third for 45 saves. Yale threw everything it had over the final few minutes, including on the 6-on-5, and Merriam was there each time. When he wasn't, shots either hit the post or were swiped from the open net by RPI skaters. Yale also misfired a few times from in close -- including Kevin Limbert on what wound up being the lone shot to beat Merriam. "Bryce did what you want your veteran, number one goalie to do,” RPI coach Seth Appert said. “The third period, they had a lot of really good looks and he came up big. It’s kind of funny the one they were able to beat him on was a fanned broken stick. That shows you how in the zone Bryce was tonight.”
• Merriam was hit by Yale's Clinton Bourbonais late in the second period, banging his arm into the post. (Bourbonais was penalized on the play). Merriam was in pain, bent over and holding his arm before skating to the bench. "It was only a Charley Horse," Merriam said. "It was painful, but it went away and I was fine."
• Yale coach Keith Allain was happy with the way his team played, knowing Merriam was the difference. "He stole the game, let's face it," Allain said.
• The Bulldogs generated offense from all four lines, resembling the Yale teams of the past three seasons for the first time in a while. Limbert played his best game, while the line of Kenny Agostino, Andrew Miller and Brian O'Neill accounted for 13 shots on goal. "We had (46) shots," Allain said. "That's usually enough."
  
• The one fault Allain pointed out was his team's power play, which not only went 0-for-5 but seemed out of sync most of the night.