Albany, N.Y. (WRGB) — The Capital District Mayors’ Cup returns Saturday with a thrilling doubleheader at MVP Arena, featuring both men’s and women’s hockey teams from Union and RPI.
The men’s teams are eager to break their losing streaks, with Union’s Garnet Chargers (14-8-2) aiming for a fifth consecutive cup win after last year’s 3-2 overtime victory against the Engineers (6-17-0). Another added wrinkle into this year’s matchup, it’ll mar RPI head coach Eric Lang’s first Mayors’ Cup experience.
We’ve played really well this season but right now, we’re in a little bit of a slide. We need something to get us going and I think this is coming at the perfect time. No matter what happens this season, a little bit of how you do in this game determines if you have success or not. I think it’s that important. Everybody cares about this one and on Sunday somebody’s going to have bragging rights. -Josh Hauge (Head Coach, Union Men’s Hockey)These are the kind of games that can jumpstart your season. I tell the guys that right now we’re not here, the difference is here right now and we want to be a team that nobody wants to play late in the year. – Eric Lang (Head Coach, RPI Men’s Hockey)
In the women’s series, RPI (6-21-0) has dominated with five wins out of seven, but Union (8-15-3) claimed victory in their last encounter. This year’s game will spotlight future Olympians: Union goalie Monja Wagner and RPI forward Nina Christof, who will represent Switzerland and Germany, respectively, in the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy.
MORE: Union, RPI Women’s Hockey Players Chosen for National Teams in Upcoming Winter Olympics
It’s been a dream since I don’t know how old I was, since I basically started playing hockey. It’s unreal like so many emotions, I’m very excited to go. I could jump right now, I’m very, very excited. I think we have a good group to go with Team Switzerland and to get to represent my country is an unreal feeling. -Monja Wagner (Union Women’s Hockey Goalie, Team Switzerland Olympian)It’s a great opportunity. I think every little girl dreams of being at the Olympics one day, so to actually have that dream come true is just a blessing. I’m really grateful for it and I’m looking forward to it. -Nina Christof (RPI Women’s Hockey Forward, Team Germany Olympian)
Both Wagner and Christof will leave Union and RPI following this weekend as they begin their Olympics training.
Bragging rights are on the line in these season-defining showdowns. Saturday’s women’s game starts at 3:00 p.m., followed by the men’s matchup at 6:00 p.m.
