Thursday’s RPI men’s hockey game against Vermont moved from Troy to Burlington – The Daily Gazette

It will be several weeks before the RPI men’s and women’s hockey teams hold any more matches.

The RPI men’s hockey team is making an unexpected second trip to Vermont after the school announced Friday that the Engineers’ game next Thursday against the Catamounts has been moved from Houston Field House to Gutterson Fieldhouse in Burlington, Vermont.

Meanwhile, the RPI women’s hockey team’s games against Merrimack on January 1 and 2 at the Field House have been canceled.

Kevin Beattie, RPI Associate Athletic Director for Communications, cited the current COVID-19 situation as the reason for the changes. The decision not to host the men’s game was made Thursday, but was announced Friday after it was determined that Vermont could host the contest. Jthe hat game will start at 2 p.m.

“They could host, and we couldn’t,” Beattie said. “We’re not hosting any events at the moment, so instead of canceling the game, they’ve been generous enough to host.”

RPI played in Vermont on October 23. The Engineers won 2-1.

The RPI women’s team was unable to move their games to Merrimack.

Classes resume at RPI on January 10, but will begin remotely. Beattie said classes should be remote until January 24.

The men’s hockey team’s next home game is Jan. 21 against Yale, while the women return to Field House on Jan. 14 against Quinnipiac.

“We don’t have any other home games for a while, and that will allow our students and our community to be tested regularly,” Beattie said. “That shouldn’t be a problem on the road.”

After canceling all sporting events last season due to the pandemic, RPI has limited fan attendance at sporting events this season. Only students, faculty and staff were allowed to attend the games.

RPI’s announcement comes three days after Union Athletics updated its COVID-19 regulations. Fans 12 and older attending all indoor collegiate sporting events at Messa Rink, Viniar Athletic Center and Alumni Gym Pool will be required to bring proof of full COVID-19 vaccinations.

The policy takes effect Thursday, when the women’s basketball team hosts Middlebury. The Union men’s hockey team hosts UMass on December 31 and January 1. The Union’s next men’s basketball game is Jan. 7 against Skidmore. The men’s and women’s swim teams host Hartwick and Springfield on January 8. The women’s hockey team returns to Messa on January 14 against Princeton.