The Union-RPI rivalry isn't just limited to the Dutchman Shoes football game on Saturday, the two schools will meet on the ice for the first time in what could be a four-game, regular series series for the rights to the Capital Skates Trophy.  The action begins on Friday, Oct. 30 with a 7 p.m. start inside of Messa Rink. Tickets for the game can be purchased online at UnionAthleticsTickets.com. Fans that can't make it to Messa Rink can listen to the broadcast on WRUC 89.7 FM or online (click here). Video will also be available (click here) and a new live stat format will debut (click here).

The Dutchmen will try to continue to produce offensively. Through six games Union is tied for fifth nationally with 3.83 goals-per-game. Entering the weekend, the line of junior Adam Presizniuk and seniors Jason Walters and Mario Valery-Trabucco have combined for seven goals and 19 points; they aren't the only trip producing. Sophomore Brian Yanovitch, junior John Simpson and freshman Wayne Simpson have also produced seven goals with 18 points. Combined the two lines have produced 61 percent of the team's scoring.

Sophomore forward Kelly Zajac might be looking forward to this weekend considering his success against the Engineers. His first career goal tied the Union-RPI contest at the 2008 Governor's Cup (Union advanced in a shutout and won the title against Colgate). In the later part of last season on Feb. 6 in a conference match-up, Zajac potted the game-winner 1:41 into onto overtime to give the Dutchmen a 2-1 win and separate them from the Engineers by four points in the ECAC Hockey standings.

Union's biggest rival owns a 43-19-9 overall record against the Dutchmen, including a 27- 16-8 Division I mark. However, Union has gone unbeaten in the last five outings, including a 2-0-1 showing last year. The last Dutchmen loss to the Engineers came during the first game of the 2007 Governor's Cup on Oct. 26, 2007 (3-2).

After a 1-1 tie at the 2008 Governor's Cup, Union rebounded with 3-0 and 2-1 (OT) wins to claim its fifth straight Capital Skates Trophy last season. All-time against the Engineers, the Dutchmen are 11-15-2 at home and head coach Nate Leaman is 9-4-3 all-time against RPI, including 4-2-0 at Messa Rink.

The Engineers enter Friday's contest riding a three-game unbeaten streak, including two victories last weekend against Sacred Heart (4-3) and American International (3-2). Their streak began with a 1-1 tie at #17 Alaska Fairbanks on Oct. 17.

RPI, which has produced 13 goals in six games, is led by freshman forward Brandon Pirri and junior forward Tyler Helfrich with six points each. Pirri, a Chicago Blackhawks' prospect, has produced three goals and three assists, while Helfrich has posted one goal and five assists.
Pirri was named the ECAC Hockey Rookie of the Week on Monday after scoring two goals, including the game-winner in overtime against Sacred Heart. He then registered two assists against AIC.

Sophomore Allen York returns to the net for RPI after becoming the team's starter at the end of last season. In five games, he has produced a 2.55 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage for a 2-2-1 record. For his career, York has posted a 2.90 goals-against average and a .904 save percentage.