1953–54 RPI Bachelors men's ice hockey season

The 1953–54 RPI Bachelors men's ice hockey team represented Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in intercollegiate college ice hockey during the 1953–54 NCAA men's ice hockey season. The head coach was Ned Harkness and the team co-captains were Frank Chiarelli and Jim Shildneck. The team won the 1954 NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament. The team's leading scorer was Abbie Moore, who finished tied for second in the nation with 68 points.

1953–54 RPI Engineers men's ice hockey season
Tri-State League Co-Champion
1954 NCAA, Champion
ConferenceT–1st Tri-State League
Home iceHouston Field House
Record
Overall18–5–0
Home12–1–0
Road4–4
Neutral2–0
Coaches and Captains
Head CoachNed Harkness
Captain(s)Frank Chiarelli
Jim Shildneck
RPI Engineers men's ice hockey seasons
« 1952–43 1954–55 »

Season

Coming off a Tri-State League championship and the program's first appearance in the NCAA tournament, Rensselaer was primed to build on the previous years' success with the top five scorers all returning for another season.[1] Also from the previous campaign was starting netminder Bob Fox who was among the best goalies in the nation in 1953.

The Bachelors opened their season with nine of their first ten games at home and used that to their advantage, sweeping the five games they played before the winter break. Their first big game came against Yale in New Haven where RPI would defeat a team that finished 4th in the east 4–2. After the break Rensselaer hosted their third Holiday Tournament and after winning games over Brown and Princeton they lost their first game of the season against St. Francis Xavier in the tournament championship.[2] RPI won two more games, pushing their record to 9–1–0, before taking a week off in preparation for their weekend trip to Colorado.

Playing at high altitude for the first time since the previous year's tournament Rensselaer came out flat against a decent Denver squad, dropping their first contest 3–8 and followed that up with an identical loss to Colorado College the next night. After a day off the Bachelors returned to Denver for a rematch with the Pioneers and though they lost once more the fared much better in the game, losing 2–3 as they seemed to finally find their skating legs. Three days later RPI was back in New York facing Hamilton on the road and despite the jet lag they trounced the Continentals 11–0. Two days later the Bachelors finally opened their conference schedule with a win at Clarkson but after another win at Middlebury they dropped a match at St. Lawrence 4–5.

With RPI in danger of losing a chance at the NCAA tournament to the Saints they had no margin for error and swept the rest of their schedule until the rematch with the Larries on March 5. The game had been sold out for months and when the teams met they produced one of the most exciting games ever held at Houston Field House.[3] Rensselaer skated away with the victory, earning them a tie with St. Lawrence as the co-champions of the Tri-State League. Despite the victory, however, the Saints had a better record, going 18–3–1 over the course of the season and were expected to be picked for the tournament but a selection of coaches and officials chose the Bachelors to head to the championship instead. Rensselaer's appearance was such a surprise that St. Lawrence had been included on the tournament programs and had their logo on the wooden pennant hanging outside the Broadmoor World Arena.[3]

The "RIP" Bachelors entered as the fourth seed and drew Michigan who, despite having a lesser record than Minnesota, was the three-time defending champion and was riding a 7-game tournament winning streak. Rensselaer would have to wait, however, as Boston College opened against the Golden Gophers and were mercilessly eviscerated by Minnesota, losing by the largest margin in tournament history (1–14). Rensselaer had been given no chance entering the tournament but after the first semifinal there was a feeling from the spectators that Michigan would produce an equally lopsided victory.[4] With all of the insults, slights and dismissals levied at their team the Bachelors responded in the only way they could; the small but fast team outskated the heavily favored Wolverines and with Gordie Peterkin recording a hat-trick, including the game-winner, Rensselaer won what was then considered the biggest upset the tournament had ever seen. Not only was their 6–4 win the first tournament victory by an eastern team over a western team in three years but it was the first time Rensselaer had ever defeated a western school.[3]

While the defeated Wolverines took their frustrations out on their hotel rooms, the Bachelors had to prepare themselves for a showdown with the Golden Gophers the next night. The Bachelors opened the game with the first three goals of the contest, one from each of their top three scorers. While the crowd may have been stunned Minnesota was not and they came roaring back with four consecutive goals to take the lead in the third period. Just when it looked like Rensselaer's chance at the title had slipped away Frank Chiarelli set up Abbie Moore for his second goal of the game to tie the score with 3:50 left in regulation and sent the game into overtime, the first time the Championship game would need an extra period. The tying goal seemed to buoy RPI who came out of the intermission flying and before two minutes had elapsed Peterkin had notched his second winning goal of the tournament.

Rensselaer's win was so improbably that it apparently flummoxed the voters for the tournament awards. Four Bachelors made their way onto the First All-Tournament Team: Bob Fox, Jim Pope, Frank Chiarelli and Gordie Peterkin. However it was Abbie Moore who was named as the Most Outstanding Player, the only time in tournament history that the MOP was not on the top team.

The Bachelors returned home to a hero's welcome and, though few continued to play once their time at Rensselaer was over, the thirteen men who had earned one of the most improbable championships in history would be remembered by the RPI faithful.[5]

Note: In the Spring of 1953 the Student Body voted that 'Bachelors' would be the new nickname of all athletic teams for RPI.[6] The moniker would revert to Engineers in 1958.

Standings
1953–54 Tri-State League standings
Conference Overall
GP W L T PTS GF GA GP W L T GF GA
Rensselaer†651010281423185014159
St. Lawrence†541010291522183113656
Clarkson514041127177828373
Middlebury4040082017980––
† indicates conference regular season champion

Schedule
Date Opponent# Rank# Site Decision Result Record
Regular Season
November 28 vs. McGill* Houston Field House • Troy, New York Fox W 7–3  1–0–0 (0–0–0)
December 5 vs. Providence* Houston Field House • Troy, New York Fox W 14–3  2–0–0 (0–0–0)
December 10 at Yale* New Haven, Connecticut Fox W 4–2  3–0–0 (0–0–0)
December 12 vs. Boston University* Houston Field House • Troy, New York Fox W 8–2  4–0–0 (0–0–0)
December 18 vs. Hamilton* Houston Field House • Troy, New York Fox W 15–0  5–0–0 (0–0–0)
Rensselaer Holiday Tournament
December 30 vs. Brown* Houston Field House • Troy, New York (Rensselaer Holiday Tournament) Fox W 5–1  6–0–0 (0–0–0)
January 1 vs. Princeton* Houston Field House • Troy, New York (Rensselaer Holiday Tournament) Fox W 5–0  7–0–0 (0–0–0)
January 2 vs. St. Francis Xavier* Houston Field House • Troy, New York (Rensselaer Holiday Tournament) Fox L 1–4  7–1–0 (0–0–0)
January 9 vs. Northeastern* Houston Field House • Troy, New York Fox W 7–1  8–1–0 (0–0–0)
January 15 vs. Princeton* Houston Field House • Troy, New York Fox W 5–2  9–1–0 (0–0–0)
January 29 at Denver* DU Arena • Denver, Colorado Fox L 3–8  9–2–0 (0–0–0)
January 30 at Colorado College* Broadmoor World Arena • Colorado Springs, Colorado Fox L 3–8  9–3–0 (0–0–0)
February 1 at Denver* DU Arena • Denver, Colorado Fox L 2–3  9–4–0 (0–0–0)
February 4 at Hamilton* Clinton, New York, New York Fox W 11–0  10–4–0 (0–0–0)
February 6 vs. Clarkson Houston Field House • Troy, New York Fox W 8–0  11–4–0 (1–0–0)
February 8 vs. Middlebury Middlebury, Vermont Fox W 4–2  12–4–0 (2–0–0)
February 12 at St. Lawrence Appleton Arena • Canton, New York Fox L 4–5  12–5–0 (2–1–0)
February 13 at Clarkson Walker Arena • Potsdam, New York Fox W 4–3  13–5–0 (3–1–0)
February 19 vs. American International* Houston Field House • Troy, New York Fox W 12–0  14–5–0 (3–1–0)
February 27 vs. Middlebury Houston Field House • Troy, New York Fox W 4–2  15–5–0 (4–1–0)
March 5 vs. St. Lawrence Houston Field House • Troy, New York Fox W 4–2  16–5–0 (5–1–0)
NCAA Tournament
March 12 vs. Michigan* Broadmoor World Arena • Colorado Springs, Colorado (National Semifinal) Fox W 6–4  17–5–0 (5–1–0)
March 13 vs. Minnesota* Broadmoor World Arena • Colorado Springs, Colorado (National Championship) Fox W 5–4 OT 18–5–0 (5–1–0)
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from USCHO.com Poll.
Source:

[7]

Roster and scoring statistics
No.NameYearPositionHometownS/P/CGamesGoalsAssistsPtsPIM
7Abbie MooreSeniorCOttawa, ON2336326814
8Frank ChiarelliJuniorFOttawa, ON2335276221
9Ambrose MoscoJuniorLWRenfrew, ON2323234627
4Frank ParadiseSeniorFSomerville, MA2310172715
5John MagadiniJuniorFPatchogue, NY2314102426
10Gordie PeterkinJuniorCOttawa, ON231572274
18Jim PopeJuniorD/FOttawa, ON23461036
11Bill MouzaviresSophomoreFNew York, NY151344
15Harry WilliamsFreshmanCNew York, NY183036
14Bruce BaumSophomoreFLarchmont, NY200110
2Lloyd BauerSophomoreDNew Haven, CT2101118
Erik LarsonSeniorF10000
Ray WeinzlerSenior10000
6Jim ShildneckSeniorDMarblehead, MA70008
16Marty KarchSophomoreDNew York, NY2100020
1Bob FoxJuniorGVerdun, PQ230000
Total141127268

[1]

Goaltending Statistics
No.NameGamesMinutesWinsLossesTiesGoals AgainstSavesShut OutsSV %GAA
1Bob Fox2313811850595025.8952.56
Total2313811850595025.8952.56

[8]

1954 Championship

(W2) Minnesota vs. (E2) Rensselaer
Scoring summary
Period Team Goal Assist(s) Time Score
1st RPI Abbie Moore Mosco 17:07 1–0 RPI
RPI Frank Chiarelli – PP Paradise 19:42 2–0 RPI
2nd RPI Ambrose Mosco Moore 22:45 3–0 RPI
Minn Ken Yackel unassisted 23:09 3–1 RPI
Minn Dick Dougherty Campbell 25:32 3–2 RPI
3rd Minn John Mayasich Dougherty 44:29 3–3
Minn Dick Dougherty Mayasich 48:30 4–3 Minn
RPI Abbie Moore Chiarelli 56:10 4–4
1st Overtime RPI Gordie Peterkin – GW Magadini 61:54 5–4 RPI

See also

References
  1. "Year-by-Year Scoring Statistics (since 1950-51)" (PDF). RPI Engineers. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  2. "Rensselaer Holiday Tournament". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved 31 July 2010.
  3. "RPI Glory Days pg. 3". Rensselaer Alumni Magazine. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  4. "In '54, RPI Had Its Own Miracle on Ice". Rensselaer Engineers. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  5. "Returning Heroes: 1954 Championship Hockey Team Returns Feb. 7". Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  6. "Symbols of the Institute". Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Retrieved January 9, 2020.
  7. "Results by Season" (PDF). RPI Engineers. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  8. "Goaltending by Season (since 1950-51)" (PDF). RPI Engineers. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  9. http://www.rpihockey.net/article.php?id=660
  10. https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/midaily/mdp.39015071756352/181
  11. http://www.rpi.edu/dept/NewsComm/Magazine/winter03/feature2-3.html
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