RPI Men’s Hockey Drops Home Opener 1-0

Senior goaltender Austin Lee stopped all 36 shots he faced and classmate Cameron Cooper scored the game's only goal with just 1:22 remaining in the third period as Minnesota State defeated RPI, 1-0, in a non-league game at Houston Field House. The game was the season opener for both teams.

Lee was outstanding throughout, stopping 11 shots in the first period, eight in the second and 17 in the third. His saves also came in a variety of situations, including a clean breakaway, goal mouth scrambles and point shots.

Cooper ended the scoreless tie late in the third period when he buried a rebound of a point blank shot by Eriah Hayes for the only goal of the game. Following an RPI turnover with both teams skating four aside, RPI netminder Scott Diebold made the initial save on Hayes, but the rebound laid on the ice for Cooper, who scored the fifth goal of his career.

The Engineers had numerous chances to grab the lead, including early in the first period when junior Nick Bailen sent sophomore Brock Higgs through on a breakaway. The backhanded try by Higgs was stopped by the left pad of Lee.

The Engineers outshot the Mavericks, 36-20, including a 17-7 edge in the third period. RPI was aided by the fact that it had 11 power play chances. Minnesota State had six power play opportunities.

The same two teams square off on Saturday night at 7pm at Houston Field House.