Dave Aiello wrote, "RPI considered the men's hockey game on Friday night against Union to be a must win. In its last four ECAC league games, the Engineers had three losses and a tie. In the last four games against Union, RPI's record was almost as bad: two losses and two ties."

"So, it was a great relief for everyone that RPI pulled out a 4-2 victory on two decisive goals by Ryan Shields in the third period. The line of Shields, Kevin Croxton, and Mikael Hammarstrom is now providing consistant offensive production."

"A major part of the story of this game was Rensselaer's physical domination of Union, a tactic that Union has previously employed with success against the Engineers. RPI is still only 2-4-1 in the ECAC and must keep up its intensity in order to move up in the standings."