Back from yet another Blackout.
First off, props to the adminstration for packing the student section with passionate, black--clad students (and one banana-clad student). It definitely made the energy better and they led the many of the chants throughout the night.
This was my second game in-person this season and this game seemed very similar to the first OSU game except for one factor, Krawchuk did not stand on his head tonight. The same zone-clearing issues, the same danger on the counterattack; the pluses and minuses of this team from the first game are still present. I can't blame Krawchuk too much, Union was running into him all night and even after letting in a few goals, he clamped down and was fantastic through the stretch run.
Two things I really liked. Rullers looked super dangerous. There was a reason he took the final faceoff with 1.8 left. If anyone was going to make something happen, it was #11.
Also, I really liked that Lang didn't quit. Let in an empty net and the fans start heading to the exit? Forget putting Krawchuk back in net, roll with 6 and look what happens! Claw back to within 1. Don't stop fighting until you are out of time. You would like to see that tenaciousness over 60 minutes but RPI clearly doesn't have the depth to go toe-to-toe for a full 60 unless they are backstopped by a shutout.
I hate that half my posts seem to have a jersey component to them but what was up with no jersey raffle tonight? I thought this year's jerseys were really sharp and loved the NYS logo with a mini-Puckman (perhaps?). I would have loved to gamble a bit on picking up a #5. One day I will get that sweet, sweet black jersey. Oh well, on to tomorrow, go Red!