TROY, N.Y. – Senior netminder Jason Kasdorf made 46 saves to lead the 16th-ranked Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) men’s hockey team to a 2-2 tie with first-ranked Quinnipiac University, on Thursday at High Points Solutions Arena. With the draw, the Engineers move to 12-7-6 overall (5-1-6 ECAC Hockey), while the Bobcats are now 19-1-5 (10-0-3 ECAC Hockey).
Kasdorf (Winnipeg, MB/Des Moines Buccaneers) recorded 13 stops in the first, 17 in the second and 13 in the third, before turning away all three Quinnipiac shots in overtime.
Following a scoreless first period, the Engineers took a 1-0 lead at 16:53 of the second, after a scramble in front of the net. Senior Zach Schroeder (Prior Lake, MN/St. Thomas Academy) swatted home his third goal of the year after sophomore Lou Nanne (Edina, MN/Sioux Falls Stampede) had his attempt stopped by Bobcats senior goalie Michael Garteig (Prince George, BC/Penticton Vees).
Quinnipiac had a chance to pull even in the final minute, but senior Travis St. Denis (Trail, BC/Penticton Vees) had his breakaway try saved by Kasdorf with under a second to go.
RPI took a 2-0 lead at 5:06 of third period, when senior Milos Bubela (Banska Bystrica, Slovakia/Dubuque Fighting Saints) saw his backhand shot from the slot deflect off of classmate Mark Miller (Massena, NY/Omaha Lancers) and into the net. Miller was credited with fifth goal of the year.
The Bobcats answered less than a minute later, as senior captain Soren Jonzzon (Mountain View, CA/Youngstown Phantoms) scored following a face-off in the offensive zone. Junior Tim Clifton (Matawan, NJ/Jersey Hitmen) picked up the lone assist.
Despite killing off a penalty with three minutes to go, the Engineers couldn’t keep Quinnipiac from tying the game. Junior Sam Anas (Potomac, MD/Youngstown Phantoms) claimed a loose puck just outside the crease and flipped over the right pad of Kasdorf for his team-leading 15th goal of the year. The tying goal, which also assisted on by Clifton, came with just 9.4 seconds left in regulation.
Both teams had power play chances in the overtime session, but the best chance to score came in the final minute, when St. Denis was denied on a breakaway for the second time. Taking a pass at the RPI blue line, he skated in on goal, but a move to his forehand was stopped by the glove of Kasdorf, who was able to cover.
The Engineers were officially 0 for 4 on the power play, while Quinnipiac was 0 for 2. Gartieg finished with 24 saves.
LEAGUE TIES RECORD:
The Engineers matched the school record for conference ties in a season, with their sixth, on Thursday night.
ASSIST LEADERS:
With his assist on RPI’s first goal on Thursday, sophomore Lou Nanne pulled into a three-way tie for the team lead with 11. He joins classmate Mike Prapavessis and senior Zach Schroeder.
UNBEATEN IN CONFERENCE PLAY:
Senior goaltender Jason Kasdorf moved his personal record to 2-0-4 in ECAC Hockey play this season.
UP NEXT:
The Engineers take on Union in the Mayor’s Cup game on Saturday at the Times Union Center in Albany (7:30pm).
Quinnipiac travels to Dartmouth next Friday (8:05pm).
