Choked at the Seams: Special Teams Breakdown Costs LIU in 2-1 Battle at RPI

J.J. Pavlick | Fairfield, CT | October 16, 2026 |

TROY, N.Y. — In elite college hockey, territorial dominance inside the face-off circle and a massive lopsided edge in third-period shots on goal mean very little if your special teams execution completely fragments under pressure.

The Long Island University (LIU) Sharks found out how agonizing that structural deficit can be on Friday night at Houston Field House. Despite holding a staggering 45-28 advantage at the dot and unleashing an aggressive 18-shot barrage in the final frame, LIU failed to convert on any of their six power-play opportunities. The lack of execution allowed the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) Engineers to capitalize on a second-period power-play tally and secure a gritty 2-1 defensive victory before 1,467 fans.

The defeat drops the Sharks to a tough 1-4-0 to open the campaign, exposing a glaring flaw in their special teams rotations, while the Engineers (2-1-0) rode disciplined, back-to-the-wall penalty killing to pull above .500. RPI finished the night with 31 shots of their own, maintaining a clean 6-for-6 sheet on the penalty kill to completely stifle the traveling underdogs.

A Rapid Exchange of Clean Looks

The structural pace of this non-conference matchup was established immediately in the opening frame, as both teams traded clean looks off unforced defensive zone tracking errors. RPI wasted little time getting on the board, taking the lead just 1:29 into the contest. Rainers Rullers finished a clinical setup from Caleb Hadland and Grayson Burzynski for his third goal of the season, giving the Engineers an early 1-0 advantage.

LIU refused to retreat into a defensive shell. The Sharks adjusted their neutral-zone posture and manufactured an immediate, unassisted answer. At the 7:21 mark, Zachary Benayon capitalized on an unforced RPI turnover at the blue line, snapping a clean shot past Engineers goalkeeper Nate Krawchuk to send the teams into the first intermission tied at 1-1.

The Engineers’ penalty kill did heavy lifting to keep the game even through that busy opening period, successfully turning aside three consecutive LIU power-play opportunities after Luke Goukler (hooking), Kazimier Sobieski (slashing), and Ethan Bono (slashing) were whistled for minor infractions. Krawchuk made 10 crucial saves in the frame as RPI held the Sharks to a single goal despite LIU throwing 11 shots on net.

Special Teams Breakdown Destroys the Margin

The middle frame became the defining graveyard for LIU’s discipline, as the Engineers generated sustained pressure throughout the period. After successfully killing off an early holding minor against Dalton Andrew, the Sharks’ penalty kill faltered under a heavy cross-checking minor assessed to Lucas Lemieux at 9:52.

Eventually, RPI regained the lead on its third power-play opportunity of the frame. At 11:24 of the second period, Jagger Tapper scored what would prove to be the game-winning goal. Finding the back of the net off assists from Benjamin Yurchuk and Kazimier Sobieski, Tapper snapped a high-velocity look past Duris to put the Engineers ahead 2-1. The goal was Tapper’s first of the season and proved to be the eventual game-winner.

The Engineers maintained their one-goal advantage through the remainder of the period, including another successful penalty kill after Ethan Bono was sent to the box for high-sticking. LIU’s night grew increasingly complicated just minutes later when Luc Bydal was hit with a five-minute major penalty for elbowing at 14:49. Under maximum distress, Duris and the Sharks’ penalty-killing unit performed admirably to survive the extended threat. Duris weathered consecutive point-blank shots from Rullers and Sobieski—who led the Engineers with six shots on goal apiece—and made 14 saves in the period to keep the Sharks within striking distance.

The Third-Period Crease Wall

The final 20 minutes were an absolute exercise in frustration for LIU’s top offensive units, as Krawchuk and the RPI defense were tested heavily in the third period. After killing off a carryover holding minor against Conner Brown—where Bo Cosman nearly scored a shorthanded equalizer—the Sharks completely dominated the puck, trapping RPI in their own zone.

LIU put 18 shots on goal over the final 20 minutes and received two more high-leverage power-play opportunities to equalize late on the man advantage following interference and holding calls against RPI’s Ian Scherzer and James Guo. During the late power plays, Samuel Rousseau—who dominated the face-off circle with a game-high 20 draw wins—set up continuous point looks. The Sharks bombarded Krawchuk with six quick power-play shots, including heavy blasts from Sixten Jennersjö and Anthony Lucarelli, but Krawchuk stopped every attempt to preserve the lead.

LIU pulled its goaltender for an extra attacker with under two minutes remaining and generated several late chances. However, Krawchuk stood tall behind his defense, making five crucial saves during the closing stretch to secure the victory. Krawchuk finished his spectacular evening with 30 total saves while allowing just one goal, completely suffocating LIU’s 18-shot third-period push to lock down the 2-1 victory.