In a frustrating return to action, RPI's offense failed to respond when clutch goals were needed, and the men's hockey team lost both of its games in the Rensselaer/HSBC Holiday Hockey Tournament in Troy.

On Friday, Brendon Clark scored the game winning goal with 7:36 left in the third period, giving Merrimack a 2-1 victory over Rensselaer. RPI coach Dan Fridgen said, "I didn't think they beat us on their merit; I thought we had a hand in that as well. But their goalie played real solid and you've got to take care of things better in your own end."

RPI extended its winless streak to three on Saturday, losing 4-3 to Princeton. As USCHO reported, "Against teams other than ECAC foe Rensselaer, Princeton is 0-14 this season. Plus, the Tigers lost three games during a recent exhibition tour of England. But against the Engineers, the Tigers are 2-0."

Summing up the tournament from his perspective, Coach Fridgen said, "I was hoping to use this tournament as a springboard for the second third of the season. We completely missed the board. We'll see how deep of a hole this is." RPI is now 7-11-1 overall.