RPI 2025–26: Off the Critical List and In Recovery

[RPI fan 4 life]

RPI last weekend was fighting for every inch. They sent the message that Union isn't the only team you have to worry about when coming to the Capital Region, a message that has not been sent since the 22-23 season. It was like watching a totally different team then we have seen all season long. Cornell came in looking to coast by with an easy win, and RPI made Cornell fight for a shootout win. Likewise, Colgate came in, and looked in shock after the first period, and never recovered. It wasn't because RPI was the better team, because they weren't. And sure, play on the ice wasn't always the cleanest. The different was they brought a level of intensity to the game that hasn't been seen at the Field House in years. I just hope they can keep it up, and it was not a fluke. If they can, it should be a fun end of the season. If they can't, then I hope Coach Lang can get it back for next season.

There was indeed a spark out there last weekend that I haven’t seen in years. With Dartmouth and Harvard coming in this weekend with both of these teams fighting for a Top 4 spot in the upcoming playoffs, victory in either game will not come easy. But with the students back in school and being Freakout weekend, if they can play the way they did against Cornell and Colgate, this should be one of the most exciting weekends at HFH in years.
Also, RPI is only 4 points behind Yale and Clarkson for 8th place. They’ve already swept Clarkson and hopefully will play a lot better at Yale than they did at the Field House to close out the regular season. Anything is possible at this point. All I can say is: LET’S GO RED!

 

[Wicked Slappaahs]

RPI is slowly getting into the merch game. Wish I could've attended the games this weekend to try and win a jersey but at least they offering Mayors Cup clothes with the logo.

RPI Fan Shop

I know this isn't hockey-related per se, but it has always been a pet peeve of mine that RPI doesn't push cool merch more for their...checks notes...only D1 sport which is arguably the face of the school. I am going to put my money where my mouth is on this one and buy some schwag.

You are absolutely spot on !! I've griped for years about this and the dearth of merch available that actually says RPI....AND Hockey together !! LOL

 

[Wicked Slappaahs]

I’m optimistic but I always pause when reading claims about improved recruiting. I’ve heard similar claims about great recruits too many times over the past 20 years that mostly didn’t pan out.

Agree that performance of the team on the ice is improving.

I agree with all of this. Also bears repeating that we will likely lose a player or three to NIL and we also don't know who Lang will target to bring in as transfers. There will likely be a nice crop out there, given the influx of CHL skaters. I'm in the minority here, but I'm not convinced that we have our answer in the net and would not be surprised if Lang brings in another to compete. But I am usually wrong on these things, and our defensive personnel certainly need a boost, which of course will only help your keepers.

More than anything, what I've noticed over the last few weeks is the effort and attitude all over the ice ...200 feet of competing for pucks, This is at the core of Lang's coaching mantra...and the results of that work are showing on the ice. Save for the SLU game - which has become their house of horrors - the last few weeks have been really fun to watch. Here's hoping we can continue being a thorn to our opponents down the stretch !

 

[Wicked Slappaahs]

Notes from Lang's weekly appearance on Wyland's radio show:

-Continued buy-in , commitment and improvement from the squad
-Out worked both teams ...2 GA, 2 penalties total, limiting odd man rushes and getting 5 back on defense
-Trending toward playoff hockey -- effort and intensity
-Credited the team for being very receptive, disciplined and committed. They are seeing the results on ice
-RPI is currently "5th or 6th" in the country in fewest penalties committed
-Credited team approach to offense and scoring ...mentioned Ruellers, Sitar, Scherzer, Buckley, Wallace as leaders.
-Of Ruellers: He has an NHL-sized body and skating and is responding the ascertive hard nosed style they are asking of him

 

[DavidNardolillo]

You are absolutely spot on !! I've griped for years about this and the dearth of merch available that actually says RPI....AND Hockey together !! LOL

I've been finding the merch situation pretty underwhelming at many colleges, RPI included. Ugly fonts used for "Rensselaer" and "Engineers" on apparel (examples here). Poor graphic design: the diagonal "RPI" is not bad, but doesn't really work proportionally on apparel other than game sweaters or as a small logo over the heart on polo shirts, etc. And the pricing is out of line with quality, i.e. I am not paying 60 bucks for screen-printed crewneck sweatshirts.

The designs on merch don't have to be complicated; simple sweatshirts with tackle-twill stitched block letters seem to sell pretty well at the schools that offer them.

 

[DavidNardolillo]

Notes from Lang's weekly appearance on Wyland's radio show:

-Continued buy-in , commitment and improvement from the squad
-Out worked both teams ...2 GA, 2 penalties total, limiting odd man rushes and getting 5 back on defense
-Trending toward playoff hockey -- effort and intensity
-Credited the team for being very receptive, disciplined and committed. They are seeing the results on ice
-RPI is currently "5th or 6th" in the country in fewest penalties committed
-Credited team approach to offense and scoring ...mentioned Ruellers, Sitar, Scherzer, Buckley, Wallace as leaders.
-Of Ruellers: He has an NHL-sized body and skating and is responding the ascertive hard nosed style they are asking of him

Shot totals from the last couple of games are encouraging as well.