Box Score

BOSTON, Mass. – Seniors Chase Polacek and Bryan Brutlag netted power-play goals as the Rensselaer men's hockey came from behind to tie Northeastern University, 2-2, this evening in a non-league contest at historic Matthews Arena. With the draw, the Engineers move to 0-1-2 on the season, while the Huskies are now 0-2-1.

An early 5-on-3 man-advantage for RPI yielded the first goal of the game, when Brutlag (Lakeville, MN/Academy of Holy Angels) re-directed a shot from the right point by classmate Tyler Helfrich (Calgary, AB/Prince George Spruce Kings) past Northeastern sophomore netminder Chris Rawlings (North Delta, BC/Cowichan Valley Caps). The goal, which was Brutlag's first of the year, came at the 13:29 mark of the first period.

The Huskies pulled even at 16:42 of the frame on freshman Rob Dongara's (Scituate, MA/New Jersey Hitmen) first collegiate tally. With a delayed penalty on the Engineers, Dongara picked up a loose puck in the slot and lifted it over the shoulder of RPI junior goaltender Allen York (Wetaskiwin, AB/Camrose Kodiaks) for the unassisted marker.

Freshman defenseman Jamie Oleksiak (Toronto, ON/Sioux Falls Stampede) gave the hosts a 2-1 lead on a shot from the center blue line that found its way through a screen and inside the right post at 4:24 of the second stanza. Senior Steve Silva (Tyngsboro, MA/Green Bay Gamblers) picked up the lone assist on Oleksiak's first career goal.

The Engineers capitalized on power-play at 17:55 of the second, when Polacek's low drive from the left point trickled through the legs of Rawlings and over the goal line, tying the game at 2-2. Sophomores Nick Bailen (Fredonia, NY/Indiana Ice) and #C.J. Lee# (Staten Island, NY/Green Bay Gamblers) earned the helpers on Polacek's first of the season.

After a scoreless third period, the Engineers out-shot Northeastern, 3-0 in the overtime session, but neither team was able to find the back of the net. York (0-1-2) finished with 26 saves, while Rawlings ended up with 29 stops at the other end of the ice.

RPI is back on the ice tomorrow night, when it hosts Bentley (5pm). The Huskies return to action next Friday, when they host ninth-ranked New Hampshire (7pm).