#14 Men's Hockey Continues Homestand, Welcomes Alaska for Two-Game Series

Casey Jones '90
The Jay R. Bloom ‘77 Head Coach of Cornell Men’s Ice Hockey

PUCK DROP

• The 14th-ranked Cornell men's hockey team (9-4-0, 6-2-0 ECAC Hockey) continues its program-record eight-game homestand this weekend, hosting Alaska (5-11-0) in a two-game series at Lynah Rink to wrap up non-conference play. The Big Red enter riding an eight-game home winning streak.

• Both games will be streamed live on ESPN+ with Jason Weinstein (play-by-play) and Tony Eisenhut '88 (analysis) on the call. Puck drop for both contests is set for 7 p.m. ET.

LONG'S HOT STREAK

• Freshman forward Aiden Long enters this weekend coming off consecutive multi-point games against Omaha. He's the third Cornell freshman this season to record multiple points in back-to-back games, joining forward Caton Ryan and defenseman Xavier Veilleux.

• With another multi-point effort Friday, Long would become the first Cornell player with three consecutive such performances since forward Ondrej Psenicka '25 in 2023-24, and be the first freshman to achieve the feat since defenseman Sam Malinski '23 in 2019-20. The last Big Red freshman forward to do so was Brian Ferlin in 2011-12.

• Should Long post multi-point games in both contests this weekend, he would become Cornell's first player with four straight multi-point performances since Malinski in 2022-23 and be the first forward to do so since Ben Berard '23, also in 2022-23. Long would also become the fourth Big Red freshman in program history to reach that mark, joining Joe Nieuwendyk (11 games, 1984-85), Brock Tredway (six games, 1977-78) and Roy Kerling (four games, 1977-78).

• Ryan has notched four multi-point games through Cornell’s first 13 games this season, the most by a Cornell freshman by the part of the season since Ferlin (four) in 2011-12.

FRESH IMPACT

• Cornell's 12-player freshman class has made an immediate impression this season, combining for 48 of the Big Red's 118 points this season (40.7 percent). The Big Red are one of just six Division I programs receiving at least 40 percent of their offensive production from first-year players, three of which reside in ECAC Hockey (St. Lawrence — 43.2 percent — 51-of-118; Quinnipiac — 40.9 percent — 87-of-213).

• After freshmen scored seven of Cornell's nine goals last weekend, the Big Red lead Division I with 48.8 percent of its goals from first-year players (21-of-43). Fellow ECAC Hockey rivals Quinnipiac (37-of-78 — 47.4 percent) and St. Lawrence (20-of-43 — 46.5 percent) rank second and third nationally.

• Five Cornell freshmen have scored at least three goals this season: Gio DiGiulian and Reegan Hiscock (five each), Caton Ryan (four), and Aiden Long and Xavier Veilleux (three each). The Big Red enter this weekend in a four-way tie with Maine, Michigan Tech and Quinnipiac for the second-most freshmen with at least three goals, trailing only Arizona State (six).

• Cornell has had at least five freshmen score three or more goals in a season just three times previously: 2002-03 and 2011-12 (five each), and 2023-24 (six).

ALEXIS-CELLENCE BETWEEN THE PIPES

• Freshman goaltender Alexis Cournoyer has been stellar through his first 10 collegiate games, posting a 7-3-0 record with a 1.93 goals-against average and .925 save percentage. Among Division I goaltenders who have played at least 33 percent of their team's minutes, Cournoyer ranks ninth nationally in goals-against average and 16th in save percentage.

• Cournoyer is one of 11 Cornell goaltenders in the modern era (since 1957-58) to register at least seven wins through 10 career appearances, joining Ken Dryden '69 (won first 11, went 29-0-1 in first 30), Brian Hayward, Dave LeNeveu and Matthew Galajda (eight in first 10), and Brian Cropper, Dave Elenbaas, Dave Chrastina, Steve Napier and Troy Davenport (seven in first 10), along with Nate McDonald (seven in nine).

• Since 2005-06, Cournoyer’s 1.93 goals-against average through his first 10 career games ranks fourth among Cornell netminders behind Mitch Gillam (1.66, 2013-15), Hayden Stewart (1.77, 2014-15) and Ian Shane (1.83, 2021-22). His .925 save percentage ranks fourth in that same span, also trailing Gillam (.947), Stewart (.937) and Shane (.929).

• Among qualifying Division I freshman goaltenders this season, Cournoyer ranks third in goals-against average behind North Dakota's Jan Špunar (1.50) and Michigan's Jack Ivankovic (1.90), while posting the seventh-best save percentage.

(BIG) RED MEANS STOP

• Cornell has allowed 25 goals through 13 games, marking the 13th time in program history the Big Red have surrendered 25 or fewer goals by the 13th game. It's the fewest total since 2022-23, when Cornell also yielded 25 goals through 13 games.

• The Big Red own the second-best scoring defense in Division I (1.923 goals allowed per game) entering this weekend. Cornell and Michigan State (1.722) are the only programs averaging under two goals allowed per game.

• Over the past eight seasons, Cornell has finished in the top 12 in scoring defense each season, serving as the longest active streak nationally. The Big Red have also ranked in the top 12 in 10 of the last 11 seasons.

• Since 2014-15, Cornell has averaged 1.982 goals allowed per game, joining Minnesota State (1.902) as the lone Division I programs under 2.00 in that span. The Big Red haven't conceded 100 goals in a season since 1997-98, a 26-year streak twice as long as any other active run (Minnesota State and Providence with 13 each).

RECORD HOMESTAND AT LYNAH

• Cornell’s eight-game homestand, which began with Omaha last weekend and runs through Jan. 24, is the longest within a single season in program history, surpassing six-game streaks from 1958-59, 1960-61, 1965-66, 1974-75 and 1976-77.

• The homestand — featuring non-conference series against Omaha and Alaska before ECAC Hockey matchups with Princeton, Quinnipiac, Dartmouth and Harvard — represents the final eight games of Cornell's 15-game stretch within New York State.

• The Big Red's longest overall homestand occurred across the 2003-04 and 2004-05 seasons with nine straight games at Lynah Rink. That streak began with the final two regular-season games and a three-game quarterfinal playoff series against Clarkson, then continued with the first four games of 2004-05. The program's only six-game homestand spanning two seasons came across 1977-78 and 1978-79 (final game of 1977-78 and first five of 1978-79).

FAITHFUL TO LYNAH

• Cornell enters this weekend with an 84-22-9 (.7696) record at Lynah Rink since 2017-18, ranking second nationally behind Minnesota State (.7946). The Big Red are one of just five programs with at least a .700 win percentage in that span.

• The Big Red are 6-0-0 at home this season, joining ECAC Hockey rival Princeton (8-0-0) as the only two remaining undefeated home teams in Division I. The 6-0-0 start marks the 13th time in program history Cornell has opened a season with six consecutive wins at home, and the first since 2021-22.

• A win Friday would give Cornell seven straight home wins to start the season for the 10th time in program history and the first since 2004-05. A weekend sweep would mark the Big Red's first 8-0-0 home start also since 2004-05.

• Cornell's eight-game home winning streak, dating back to Feb. 22, 2025, is tied with fellow ECAC Hockey and Ivy League rival Princeton for the longest active streak in Division I. Also tied for the 10th-longest home win streak in program history, it is the Big Red's longest home win streak since posting 11 straight victories between Feb. 9, 2020 and Nov. 20, 2021, in the final games of a 21-game home unbeaten streak (19-0-2).

• Cornell has won at least nine home games in each of the last nine seasons played, ranking as the fifth-longest active streak in Division I behind Minnesota (49 seasons), Denver (26), North Dakota (24) and Minnesota State (13).

• Dating back to Jan. 1, 2024, the Big Red have a 23-5-2 (.800) record at Lynah Rink, second nationally behind ECAC Hockey rival Quinnipiac (29-6-3, .803). Cornell is one of nine teams in that span with a win percentage of at least .700.

JONNY-ON-THE-DOT

• Junior forward Jonathan Castagna boasts the nation's top faceoff win percentage among players with at least 150 faceoff wins, going 156-of-242 (64.7 percent). He's one of eight players this season with at least 150 wins and a success rate of 60.0 percent or better.

• Since Jan. 1, 2024, Castagna has been the nation's most reliable player in the faceoff circle, winning 62.7 percent of his draws (363-of-579). He's the lone active Division I player with at least 300 faceoff wins and a 60 percent win rate. Colorado College's Klavs Veinbergs is next-closest at 59.7 percent (441-of-739).

• Castagna's team-leading 156 faceoff wins translate to 12.00 wins per game, seventh nationally and first among ECAC Hockey players. Combined with junior forward Ryan Walsh (144 wins, 11.08 per game, tied for 15th nationally), Cornell is the only Division I program with multiple players averaging at least 10 faceoff wins per game.

WALSH PARTICIPATES AT SPENGLER CUP

• Junior captain Ryan Walsh participated in the 97th Spengler Cup last week with the U.S. Collegiate Selects in Davos, Switzerland. The USCS marked the first time a select team representing college hockey competed in the prestigious annual tournament. Only two U.S. college programs — Minnesota (1981) and North Dakota (1982) — had previously participated.

• Walsh appeared in both of the USCS' pool play games, logging a total of 24:12 of ice time. After being scratched for the 5-3 semifinal win over Sparta Praha on Dec. 30, Walsh recorded a goal and assist in 12:46 of action as hosts HC Davos claimed their tournament-leading 17th Spengler Cup title with a 6-3 championship victory on New Year's Eve.

• According to Elite Prospects' roster data dating to 1983, Walsh became the 14th Cornell player named to a Spengler Cup roster, joining Lance Nethery (HC Davos, 1983-89), Dan Ratushny (Team Canada, 1988, 1990, 2000), Brad Chartrand (Team Canada, 1997), Jason Elliott (TPS, 2002), Dave LeNeveu (Team Canada, 2009), Charlie Cook (HC Davos, 2010), Mike Iggulden (Team Canada, 2010), Mike Knoepfli (HC Fribourg-Gottéron, 2012), Kirill Gotovets and Ben Scrivens (Dinamo Minsk, 2016), Ryan Vesce (HC Lugano, 2016; EHC Olten, 2017), Riley Nash (Team Canada, 2022) and Alex Green (Straubing Tigers, 2024).

• Since being named to the U.S. Collegiate Selects roster for the Spengler Cup on Nov. 6, junior forward Ryan Walsh (3-11—14) has found his scoring touch, collecting 12 of his team-leading 14 points (3-9—12).

OFF TO A GOOD START

• Cornell’s 9-4-0 record through 13 games under Casey Jones ‘90 is the best 13-game start by a first-year Big Red coach since Brian McCutcheon ‘71, who also went 9-4-0, to begin 1987-88.

• Jones' .692 win percentage is tied with Talbot Hunter (1909-11) and McCutcheon for the second-best mark through a coach's first 13 games at Cornell. Only Dick Bertrand '70 posted a better record, opening with an 11-2-0 mark.

• A weekend sweep of Alaska would keep Jones tied with Hunter and McCutcheon (11-4-0) for the second-best win percentage through a Cornell coach's first 15 games, trailing only Bertrand (12-3-0, .800).

• Among the 11 Division I programs currently playing under first-year head coaches, Cornell's .692 win percentage through 13 games is tied with North Dakota and RIT (both 9-4-0) for the highest mark. Michigan Tech (8-4-1, .654) and Lindenwood (8-5-0, .615) are the only other programs with winning records through 13 games under new leadership.

POWERFUL ON THE POWER PLAY

• Cornell has scored a power-play goal in seven of its last nine games, including four straight between Nov. 14-22.

• The Big Red's 33.3 percent power-play success rate since Nov. 14 ranks fourth nationally, trailing Minnesota (40.9 percent — 9-for-22), North Dakota (40.0 percent — 12-for-30) and Minnesota Duluth (36.8 percent — 7-for-19).

• Cornell's 26.2 percent success rate on the power play this season (11-of-42) ranks seventh nationally and leads all ECAC Hockey programs.

NOTHING EXTRA, PLEASE

• All 13 of Cornell's games this season have ended in regulation, the longest season-opening stretch without overtime since 2017-18, when the Big Red played its first 15 games without needing an extra frame.

• It marks the eighth time in program history Cornell has reached its 13th game without playing overtime, joining 1959-60, 1964-65, 1965-66, 1975-76, 1978-79, 1987-88 and 2017-18. The program record stands at 25 games, set in 1978-79, while the Big Red also went entire seasons without overtime in 1959-60 and 1965-66 (both 21-game campaigns).

• Should both games against Alaska end in regulation this weekend, it would mark just the eighth time in program history, and the second time in the last 38 years, that Cornell has played its first 15 games of a season without overtime — matching those same seven seasons listed above.

ITHACA, N.Y. — Ken Dryden '69, the legendary Cornell men's hockey goaltender who still holds the program record for career wins (76) and backstopped the Big Red to its first national championship in 1967, died Friday after a courageous battle with cancer. He was 78.

"Ken Dryden was not only one of the greatest goaltenders in the history of hockey, but also a symbol of excellence, intellect, and leadership who represented Cornell with unmatched distinction," said Dr. Nicki Moore, Cornell's Meakem & Smith Director of Athletics & Physical Education. "His impact on the game, on our university, and in communities throughout his homeland in Canada will endure far beyond the ice. Cornell Athletics & Physical Education mourns his passing, and we extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and all who were inspired by his extraordinary life."

"Ken Dryden was the quintessential student-athlete," added Casey Jones '90, the current Jay R. Bloom '77 Head Coach of Cornell Men's Ice Hockey. "He was a great ambassador for Cornell and hockey in general. Our thoughts are with his family and friends."

"Intelligent, classy, articulate, kind, athletic, and thoughtful are just a few characteristics that come to mind," stated former Cornell men's hockey head coach Mike Schafer '86. "Ken Dryden was a legend and a trailblazer in the sport of hockey. Cornell University, Cornell Hockey, the Montreal Canadiens, and the hockey community have lost one of the greatest ambassadors for our sport. Our thoughts go out to his family, and especially his wife, Lynda."

At Cornell, Dryden compiled a remarkable 76-4-1 record with a 1.59 goals-against average and .939 save percentage, while leading the Big Red to the first three of its four consecutive ECAC Hockey Tournament titles (1967-69), two ECAC Hockey regular-season championships (1968 and 1969), and the 1967 NCAA title. His career goals-against average and save percentage still rank second in program history among eligible goaltenders.

After graduating from Cornell in 1969 with a degree in history, Dryden launched an extraordinary eight-year NHL career with the Montréal Canadiens. He won six Stanley Cups, five Vezina Trophies, the Conn Smythe Trophy in 1971 as the Stanley Cup Playoffs' MVP, and the Calder Trophy in 1972 as the league's Rookie of the Year.

In 1973, Dryden earned the first of his five Vezina Trophies after leading the league in wins (33), goals-against average (2.26), and save percentage (.926). He remains one of four goaltenders in NHL history to win the award at least five times, alongside Jacques Plante (seven), Bill Durnan (six), and Dominik Hasek (six).

Dryden stepped away from hockey for the 1973-74 season, briefly retiring while earning a law degree from McGill University and working at a Toronto law firm, before returning to the Canadiens in 1974. Over the next five seasons, he anchored one of the NHL's most dominant dynasties, guiding the Canadiens to four straight Stanley Cups (1976-79) and capturing the Vezina Trophy each year. During that stretch, he posted a 150-33-30 record with a 2.13 goals-against average, .920 save percentage, and 28 shutouts.

"From the moment Ken Dryden joined Montréal as a 23-year-old rookie in 1971, he made an immediate and lasting impact on the NHL, the Canadiens franchise, and the goaltending position," said NHL Commissioner and fellow Cornell alumnus Gary Bettman '74 in a statement." After playing six regular-season games during that first year, Ken proceeded to lead his team to a Stanley Cup while winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoffs' most valuable player. It is almost incomprehensible to believe that he accomplished all of that the year prior to winning the Calder Memorial Trophy as the League's best rookie in 1971-72.

"Ken's early success was only a harbinger of what was to come. In eight years with the Canadiens, Ken would lead a team filled with future Hall of Famers to six Stanley Cup championships, quickly becoming a beloved figure in his adopted hometown of Montréal. He won five Vezina Trophies as the League's top goaltender, including four consecutive awards from 1975-76 to 1978-79. Named as a member of the League's Greatest 100, he was the NHL's dominant goaltender during the 1970s.

"On a personal note, Ken was a fellow Cornellian whose career ranks among the greatest runs in collegiate hockey and famously led the Big Red to the 1967 NCAA Championship. On behalf of the National Hockey League, we mourn the passing of a legendary Canadian and extend our sincere condolences to his wife Lynda, family, and many friends and fans all over the hockey world."

Dryden was inducted into the Cornell Athletics Hall of Fame in 1978 and the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1983, both in his first year of eligibility. His No. 29 sweater was retired by the Canadiens in 2007, and his No. 1 sweater was retired by Cornell in 2010, alongside Joe Nieuwendyk's No. 25.

The Dryden family has requested privacy at this time. Those wishing to honor his memory are encouraged to make a donation to the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre or the Concussion Legacy Foundation.

SCOUTING ALASKA

• Alaska enters this weekend 5-11-0 overall after splitting last weekend's series against then-No. 16 Providence. The Nanooks fell 5-2 on Friday before scoring five unanswered goals in a 5-1 victory Saturday for their first true-road win of the season (1-8-1).

• Following this weekend, Alaska opens a six-game homestand when it hosts Alaska Anchorage in the first two games of the Alaska Airlines Governor's Cup. After hosting Lindenwood (Jan. 23-24) and LIU (Jan. 30-31), the Nanooks will play Alaska Anchorage six consecutive times between Feb. 6-28. Alaska won't return to the contiguous 48 until March 5, when it will compete in the inaugural United Collegiate Hockey Cup, a tournament featuring all five Division I independent programs, hosted by Lindenwood in Maryland Heights, Mo.

• Michael Citara (7-9—16) paces Alaska's offensive attack, leading the team in all three major scoring categories. Chase Dafoe (5-3—8) has a team-high three power-play goals.

• Lassi Lehti has handled the bulk of the minutes in goal for the Nanooks, starting 12 of his 13 appearances and posting a 4-7-1 record with a 2.73 goals-against average and .916 save percentage. Calvin Vachon (1-4-0, 3.06, .907) has started five of his six appearances.

39 YEARS, 3,084 MILES, 3 MEETINGS

• Cornell and Alaska will meet for the fourth and fifth times in program history this weekend. The Big Red have won all three previous meetings, including a pair of overtime victories when the Nanooks made their first-ever trip to Ithaca on Oct. 29-30, 2021.

• The programs' first meeting came on Jan. 3, 1987, when Cornell scored five unanswered goals in a 5-2 victory in the championship game of the Phoenix Mutual Classic in Hartford, Conn. Sophomore forward Darren Snyder scored twice and freshman forward Casey Jones '90 chipped in three points (one goal, two assists) to guide the Big Red to the tournament title. Jones compiled six points (1-5—6) in the two-game tournament en route to MVP honors.

CORNELL - ALASKA CONNECTIONS

• Cornell assistant coach Chris Brown will be coaching against the team where he spent the previous four seasons as associate head coach under Erik Largen, helping compile a 65-56-13 (.534) record. In 2022-23, the Nanooks posted a 22-10-2 mark and finished one spot shy of qualifying for the NCAA Tournament. Brown oversaw the defensive unit, which ranked fourth nationally in scoring defense (2.20 goals per game) that season. Associate head coach Matt Curley coached Luke Devlin and Remington Keopple on the 2021-22 Des Moines Buccaneers, which also featured Fyodor Nikolayenya. Curley also served as an assistant coach on Team USA at the 2011 IIHF World U18 Championship in Crimmitschau and Dresden, Germany, which featured former Cornell forward Cole Bardreau ‘15 on the roster. Aiden Long and Barlage played together on the 2023-24 Madison Capitols. Nicholas Wolfenberg and Spak spent three seasons on the Okotoks Oilers (2021-24) together. Donovan Hamilton played with Kruse and Cardona on the Omaha Lancers in 2022-23. Keopple also played with Kruse on the 2020-21 Des Moines Buccaneers. Hamilton and Tommy Cronin played together last season with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks. Connor Arseneault played with Lucas Sorace on last year’s Chilliwack Chiefs, while Parker Murray played with Sorace on the Chilliwack Chiefs and Penticton Vees in 2023-24. Sean Donaldson and Michael Citara played together on the 2020-21 Sioux Falls Stampede. Arseneault played with Davis Borozinskis on last year’s Omaha Lancers, while Xavier Veilleux and Borozinskis won the Clark Cup together with the Muskegon Lumberjacks last year. Justin Katz played with Dafoe on the 2021-22 West Kelowna Warriors, while Donaldson also played with Dafoe on the 2018-19 Trail Smoke Eaters.

ALASKA'S NHL CONNECTIONS

• Calvin Vachon is the grandson of Hockey Hall of Fame goaltender Rogie Vachon, who played 795 NHL games over 16 years with Montreal (1967-72), Los Angeles (1972-78), Detroit (1978-80) and Boston (1980-82). Rogie won three Stanley Cups with Montreal (1968, 1969, 1971), shared the 1967-68 Vezina Trophy with Cornell Athletics and Hockey Hall of Fame goaltender Ken Dryden '69, and was a two-time Hart Trophy finalist (1975, 1977). After his playing career, Rogie spent 15 seasons in NHL front offices, serving as Los Angeles' interim head coach in 1983-84 and general manager from 1984-93. Calvin's father, Nick, played in one NHL game with the New York Islanders in 1996-97.

• Adam Cardona is the grandson of former NHLer Yvon Lambert, who won four consecutive Stanley Cups with Montreal from 1976-79. Lambert played 683 NHL games over 10 years with Montreal (1972-81) and Buffalo (1981-82), amassing 479 points (206 goals, 273 assists).

• Chase Dafoe is the son of former NHL goaltender Byron Dafoe, who played 415 NHL games over 12 years with Washington (1992-95), Los Angeles (1995-97), Boston (1997-02) and Atlanta (2002-04). Byron posted a 171-170-56 record with a 2.69 goals-against average and .904 save percentage, and led the NHL with 10 shutouts in 1998-99.

• Dylan Sydor is the son of former NHL defenseman Darryl Sydor, who played 1,291 NHL games over 18 seasons with Los Angeles (1991-96), Dallas (1995-2003, 2006-07, 2008-09), Columbus (2003-04), Tampa Bay (2003-06), Pittsburgh (2007-09) and St. Louis (2009-10). Darryl won two Stanley Cups with Dallas (1999) and Tampa Bay (2004).

MORE OT HEROICS FOR #16 MEN'S HOCKEY IN 1-0 WIN OVER ALASKA

BOX SCORE | RECAP | HIGHLIGHTS | PHOTO GALLERY

ITHACA, N.Y. (OCT. 30, 2021) – After going more than five years between overtime victories, the Cornell men's hockey team turned in two within a span of 24 hours to complete a non-league sweep of Alaska this weekend at Lynah Rink. Junior forward Matt Stienburg provided the heroics on Saturday, scoring the winner 80 seconds into the extra session to punctuate a 1-0 victory. Freshman Joe Howe made 20 saves to record a shutout in his first collegiate start.

The path to the winning goal actually started with 8.4 seconds remaining in the third period, when a penalty was called when Stienburg was collided with heavily away from the play in the neutral zone. After a video review of the play, a major penalty for contact to the head was called on the offending player. While little came of the man advantage before the end of regulation, the scenario led to overtime essentially being spent on the man advantage. Furthermore, college hockey's new overtime rules dictate three-on-three play in the extra frame — though should a power-play situation arise as it did in this case, it results in a four-on-three power play.

Cornell (2-0) took full advantage of the situation, both in exhibited patience and usage of the extra space on the ice. It was also at least some atonement of disappointing weekend on the power play, with the winner proving to be the Big Red's lone strike on the man advantage in 10 chances over the weekend.

Senior forward Max Andreev worked the puck from high in the offensive zone to junior forward Ben Berard toward the bottom of the right circle. As the defenders shifted, Stienburg drifted away from his post near the top of the crease into the low slot to open himself up for a pass from Berard. His one-timer didn't miss, beating Alaska goaltender Gustavs Davis Grigals to the stick side and sending the crowd of 2,864 fans into euphoric celebration.
 
After Friday's victory, Mike Schafer '86 – the Jay R. Bloom '77 Head Coach of Men's Hockey – remarked on how fickle four-on-three opportunities can be throughout a season. As it turned out, he entertained a hunch on Saturday morning in case such a situation surfaced again.
 
"We actually watched Omaha score a 4-on-3 goal against them. This morning, we kind of watched that tape and brought (that power-play unit) in," Schafer said. "Just in case we get another 4-on-3, we talked about what we want them to try to do, and those guys did a really good job of it."
 
Of course, hockey isn't static – and while there's some leeway for scripted plays from time to time, it's mainly a reactionary sport. It was a melding of that reality and what the Big Red learned from Friday's series opener that ultimately led to the winner on Saturday.
 
"The thing about watching video is that we don't want to get too caught up in exact routes and stuff," Stienburg said. "We watched that (video of the Omaha/Alaska game) to give us some ideas and see what they're doing and see what works. Once you get out there, it's all about making reads and stuff. It was obviously a great play by Benny Berard to find me there, and I was lucky enough to be the guy to have that shot."
 
That shot also made a winner out of Howe, who proved impregnable in his collegiate debut. After Alaska got off to another strong start, Howe was there to thwart Harrison Israels' open shot from the slot at the 12:08 mark of the first, then Matt Koethe's angled breakaway 30 seconds later.
 
"A lot of excitement," Howe said. "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little nervous before the game – but then, puck drop, and hockey is hockey. … It's more of a team shutout than just me, but it's a great start."
 
His biggest stop came with 7:15 left in third period on a rare Alaska odd-man rush. As the play developed, the Nanooks fed defenseman Garrett Pyke for a quick shot from the slot that Howe calmly snagged with his catching glove while sliding to his left.

"I think he was outstanding," Schafer said. "He did a really good job and controlled rebounds and played the puck a couple times to help break us out of the zone, so I thought he did a really good job."

CASTAGNA'S THIRD-PERIOD GOAL LIFTS #17 MEN'S HOCKEY PAST OMAHA

BOX SCORE | RECAP | HIGHLIGHTS | POSTGAME INTERVIEWS

ITHACA, N.Y. (JAN. 3, 2026) — Junior forward Jonathan Castagna's early third-period goal helped break a 2-2 tie as the 17th-ranked Cornell men's hockey team staved off a late push by Omaha in its 3-2 victory over the Mavericks on Saturday night at Lynah Rink.

The victory for the Big Red improved its overall record to 9-4-0 and kept it undefeated at home to begin the 2025-26 campaign (6-0-0).

Freshmen forwards Reegan Hiscock and Aiden Long picked up their offensive production from Friday night, scoring the first two Cornell goals in the first period. Long tallied a goal and an assist, while fellow freshman Caton Ryan assisted on Cornell's latter two markers.

Senior goaltender Remington Keopple made a career-high 25 saves in the victory.

Omaha freshman forward Jérémy Loranger tallied both goals for the Mavericks (7-13-0), who have lost 11 of their last 14 contests. Freshman goaltender Dawson Cowan made 22 saves in the setback.

Hiscock opened the scoring just 1:39 into the first period, pouncing on a loose puck after freshman forward Gio DiGiulian had his backhanded centering pass deflect off Omaha defenseman Spencer Sova to give Cornell an early 1-0 advantage.

Long extended the lead to 2-0 at 10:49 of the opening frame, lasering a wrist shot from the top of the slot after Ryan backhanded a pass from beneath the goal line. The goal marked Long's third of the weekend as he continues to find his offensive stride coming out of Cornell's near-month-long holiday break.

"It's nice to get that monkey off his back," said Casey Jones '90, the Jay R. Bloom '77 Head Coach of Cornell Men's Ice Hockey, of Long's recent production. "He's been generating a lot of chances in the first half. There was some frustration, but he got home for break and came back ready. He's a good player with his pedigree and what he did in the USHL. The expectation is he'll produce — it's just a matter of time."

Omaha responded less than a minute later when Loranger converted on the power play, beating Keopple to his far-side shoulder with a one-timer from the right faceoff circle, to cut the deficit to 2-1 heading into the first intermission.

Loranger tied the game 2-2 at 11:32 of the second period with an even-strength goal, benefiting from a friendly bounce off a referee and beating Keopple to his five hole to give the Mavericks momentum heading into the final frame.

It was the first time Keopple had surrendered a goal at 5-on-5 in nearly 263 minutes (262:54), dating back to his relief appearance last season at Union (Feb. 28, 2025).

Omaha carried that energy into the third period, outshooting Cornell 12-4 in the frame, while mustering the first eight shot attempts across the opening three minutes of play. But Castagna was able to break the deadlock 4:33 into the period, capitalizing on a rebound of a sharp-angle shot taken by Ryan to restore Cornell's lead.

"Honestly, not much," Castagna said of what he saw on the play. "I just knew I had to get that to the net. In a game like that, nothing's really going in clean. It's going to be a really greasy goal. I was just trying to get it to the net."

Castagna's goal proved critical after Omaha's strong start to the period.

"We were thinking about taking a timeout," Jones said. "They had the momentum a little bit. It's hard to sweep the same team on back-to-back nights and they're a good team. That goal was important — it settled us in."

Cornell then focused on protecting the lead, blocking shots and limiting Omaha's high-danger chances despite the Mavericks' offensive pressure.

"We packed it in pretty well," Castagna said. "They have a lot of good offensive players. When you're getting a lot of offense thrown at you like that, it's really important that you stay calm. I feel like we did pretty well to keep them on the outside."

Keopple, making his first start at Lynah Rink since Dec. 30, 2022, against AIC, made several key saves down the stretch, six of which came during the final five minutes of play.

"I thought the team played really well in front," Keopple said. "It made my job really easy tonight. It's my first start at home since my freshman year, so it was a little nerve-wracking to start. It's great watching guys lay out in front of you. They have your back and I have theirs as well."

Cornell finished the game 0-for-2 on the power play while holding Omaha to 1-for-5. The Big Red was outshot 27-25 in the contest and won 37 of 61 faceoffs (60.7 percent), led by Castagna going 14-for-19 (73.7 percent) in the circle.

2025-26 Roster

If you’ve never been to a Big Red hockey game at Cornell’s Lynah Rink, there are quite a few things you’ve never experienced. You’ve never camped in line to get season tickets and ensure your spot as one of the raucous and devoted "Lynah Faithful." But most importantly, if you’ve never been to Lynah, you’ve never experienced all the best that college hockey offers.

Lynah Rink, which enters its 68th year serving as the home of Big Red hockey this season, was formally dedicated on April 6, 1957, a month after its opening to the public on March 4, 1957. The facility, which was built following a $500,000 anonymous donation (approximately $5.59 million in 2024), honors the late James Lynah '05, who served as the director of athletics at Cornell from 1935-43.

The donation to build Lynah Rink resurrected the Cornell hockey program following a 10-year hiatus, ensuring hockey returned as a varsity sport for the 1957-58 season.

Cornell began sponsoring hockey as a varsity sport with the 1900-01 season, which featured all Big Red home games played on the university’s outdoor rink on Beebe Lake. Due to a series of abnormally mild winters, the program was left — literally — on thin ice, causing Cornell to drop the program entirely after the 1947-48 campaign.

Since its opening in March of 1957, Lynah Rink has received numerous face-lifts since hosting its inaugural event on March 21, 1957, a 7-3 victory for the NHL’s New York Rangers in an exhibiton against the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League (AHL). Hockey Hall of Fame goaltender Gump Worsley stopped 44 shots in the victory for the Rangers.

Among the renovations, Cornell spent nearly $1 million in the summer of 2000, to replace the rink floor, drainage system, frost protection and refrigeration piping, and adding new boards and seamless glass.

During the summer of 2006, a 16,700-square-foot expansion added new locker rooms, coaches offices, study lounges, new athletic training space, and approximately 450 new seats in the seating bowl.

Over last season’s winter break, updated Cornell branding on the façade and south concourse brought a more modern look to the facility.

Though many physical aspects of Lynah Rink have changed over time, the crowd remains constant. Lynah Rink can hold 4,267 boisterous Cornell hockey fans, who provide unwavering support for the Big Red while creating an unparalleled atmosphere in college hockey.

Although many rinks in the nation are bigger in capacity, few are known to be louder. The Cornell fans, aptly named the "Lynah Faithful," stream into every home contest, making themselves as much a part of the game as the players do. Whether they’re cheering for the Big Red or joining the pep band in their rendition of "Give My Regards to Davy," the Lynah Faithful reaffirms the old saying, "There’s no place like home."

Since the doors opened on Lynah Rink, the Cornell men's hockey program has won a pair of NCAA Division I men’s hockey championships in 1967 and 1970, garnering an ECAC Hockey-record 13 tournament championships (1967-70, 1973, 1980, 1986, 1996-97, 2003, 2005, 2010, 2024) and 26 Ivy League titles, 22 of which have been won outright.

• Cornell continues its eight-game homestand next weekend with a pair of ranked opponents, welcoming No. 20 Princeton (8-4-0, 4-2-0 ECAC Hockey) on Friday and No. 8 Quinnipiac (12-4-2, 4-2-0 ECAC Hockey) on Saturday to Lynah Rink as the Big Red opens the home stretch of conference play.

• Both games are scheduled for 7 p.m. puck drops with live streaming on ESPN+. Saturday's matchup against Quinnipiac will also be available regionally on SNY.