RPI falls 3-0 to BU in Exhibition
The Engineers battled hard but were outlasted by a supremely talented Terrier team
Sunday’s puck drop to start the 2025-26 season in Boston wrapped up one of the most action-packed offseasons in program history. If not program history, then most definitely in my lifetime. It was rejuvenating to say the least, to feel like RPI’s administration had taken its flagship program by the horns and said enough is enough. A new head coach with championships upon championships to his name, a flashy new top assistant that can recruit with the best of them, nearly 20 new players, and millions of dollars being pledged to the historic Houston Field House headlined this busy offseason. Too many years went by where the program that meant so much to this school was treated as an afterthought and not seen as a true value-add to the RPI experience. I only begin with this rant because I was able to get out to BU yesterday for the game, and regardless of the outcome, I left with a good taste in my mouth because it feels like the dawn of a new era. RPI might not have a roster built for national championships again just yet. It may never be that program again. But there is a level of professionalism and seriousness that has been reinfused into the program again, and that felt very palpable Sunday night as the Engineers battled a loaded BU team very gamely. There is quite a bit of work to be done, but Eric Lang looks like he has a competitive, hungry squad to start building with in 2025.
The Engineers first period was by far their best and saw them generate multiple goal-scoring chances on BU netminder Max Lacroix. Alfred Lindberg got in alone on a shorthanded breakaway but was turned aside, and Mat Bourgault hit the cross bar on a similar opportunity later in the period. Bruno Bruveris was very game in his only period of action and turned aside all 11 shots that were thrown at him. BU looked a bit sluggish in the first and the Engineers really outhustled them to loose pucks, which sustained some extended zone opportunities.
Nathan Krawchuk took over in net for the second period in his collegiate debut, looking very calm and controlled. BU broke the ice late in the period on a funky play where a shot from the far circle hit off an RPI defenseman and ricocheted in. It wasn’t a goal you blame the goaltender for, but nonetheless they count the same. The Terriers got their legs under them as the game went on and started to control the majority of possession. At first glimpse of Coach Lang’s system, I was impressed at the defense’s ability to limit high-danger chances against such a potent attack like BU.
The Terriers really took control through the first half of the 3rd period and potted their second goal against Engineer goalie Carson Dorfman on the powerplay. The ice got a bit tilted as RPI didn’t register a shot until the final 5 minutes of the 3rd period. My only frustration with this game was how tired the team looked as the game wore on, which concerned me given the fact that every skater had dressed for the game. Matthew Buckley nearly scored on a rocket one-timer with the net empty, but the puck floated out to center and BU put the game on ice with an empty netter.
For RPI, the defense and goaltending were the winners of the day. Boston University may have the most supremely talented team in college hockey, and despite their puck possession advantages, it never truly felt like they had RPI on the ropes. The Engineers had sound zone exits, blocked shots, got into passing lanes and kept scoring opportunities to the outside. Bruveris and Krawchuk both played well and looked more than capable to be an effective platoon in net this season. I was impressed with quite a few of the newcomers, such as Gunnar VanDamme, Ian Scherzer, Thomas Klassek, and Luc Wilson. I do feel like the scoring will come especially with the depth RPI has, so seeing a very capable defensive system and newcomers that added to it was a welcomed sight.
The Engineers will kick off the regular season slate with 2 against Miami at the Houston Field House this weekend. The non-conference schedule is a bit of a gauntlet, and Miami figures to be much improved after a bad year last year. This should be a good early season test for RPI to put it all together and protect home ice. Stay tuned for our weekend preview and let’s go red!