#9 Men's Hockey Brings Four-Game Road Win Streak to Capital Region

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

PUCK DROP

• The ninth-ranked Cornell men’s hockey team (17-6-0, 12-4-0 ECAC Hockey) aims to extend its current four-game road winning streak this weekend when it travels to the Capital Region to face RPI (7-21-0, 4-12-0) and Union (16-10-2, 6-9-1), beginning a four-game road trip.

• Both games are scheduled for 7 p.m. starts and will be streamed live on ESPN+.

JONESING FOR VICTORIES

• Casey Jones ‘90, who’s in his first season as Cornell’s head coach, enters this weekend tied with Brian McCutcheon ‘71 for the second-best win percentage (.739) through a Big Red head coach’s first 23 games. Only Dick Bertrand ‘70 has a better percentage after he started his head coaching career with a 20-3-0 (.870) record in 1970-71.

• A sweep of RPI and Union this weekend would push Jones’ record to 19-6-0 (.760), placing him in sole possession of the second-best record through 25 games, still trailing Bertrand (22-3-0, .880). It would be Cornell’s 14th time reaching 19 overall wins by its 25th game and be the earliest to that threshold since 2019-20, when it opened with a 19-2-4 record.

MODEL OF CONSISTENCY

• Cornell’s sweep of Yale and Brown on Jan. 23-24 extended its streak of 10-win seasons in ECAC Hockey play to nine consecutive seasons, the third-longest such run in program history behind stretches of 19 seasons (1964-83) and 13 seasons (1999-2012).

• A sweep would give Cornell 14 league wins through 18 conference games for the first time since 2019-20, when it went 14-2-2, and mark the Big Red’s first 14-win conference season since 2022-23 (15-6-1).

• Cornell’s active nine-season streak of 10-win conference campaigns is the fourth-longest in Division I, trailing Minnesota State (14 seasons), Boston University (11) and Western Michigan (10).

THE ‘X’ FACTOR

• Freshman defenseman Xavier Veilleux, who set a season-high for assists and matched his single-game best for points (0-3—3) last Friday in the Big Red’s 5-2 win at Colgate, has at least one point in seven of his last 10 games (2-10—12), 10 of his previous 14 (3-14—17) and 12 of his last 17 (4-15—19).

• Entering this weekend, Veilleux’s 21 points (5-16—21) are the most by a freshman defenseman this season, ahead of Wisconsin’s Luke Osburn (5-14—19) by two points. One of eight first-year rearguards with at least 15 points this season, Veilleux is joins Penn State’s Mac Gadowsky (4-17—21 with Army in 2023-24) and Boston University’s Cole Hutson (5-17—22 in 2024-25) as the lone active Division I blueliners who also registered at least 21 points within their first 23 career games.

• Over the last 20-plus seasons, Veilleux is one of 18 Division I defenseman to amass at least 21 points in his first 23 career games. Ten of the 18 instances have come over the last four-plus seasons and 14 have been over the last nine-plus campaigns. Veilleux is the first ECAC Hockey defenseman to have 21 points in his first 23 career games since Harvard’s Adam Fox (2-24—26) in 2016-17.

• His three-assist performance at Colgate last Friday solidified Veilleux as the fourth freshman blueliner in Cornell program history with a 20-point season. His 21 points are currently tied with Mark McRae ‘03 (5-16—21 in 1999-00) for the third-most points and trails both Chris Norton ‘88 (4-19—23 in 1984-85) and Ben Robertson (5-18—23 in 2023-24) for the program lead.

• Veilleux’s five goals are tied with McRae (1999-00) and Robertson (2023-24) for the second-most by a Cornell freshman defenseman in program history. Only Joakim Ryan ‘15 had more in his first campaign with the Big Red, scoring seven goals in the 2011-12 season.

X GON' GIVE IT TO YA

• All five of freshman defenseman Xavier Veilleux’s goals this season have come on the power play, pacing the Big Red in that category. His five power-play goals are tied with Colgate’s Isaiah Norlin, Penn State’s Jackson Smith and Clarkson’s Tate Taylor for the nation’s lead among defensemen. He is also one of nine freshmen nationally with at least five power-play goals.

• Veilleux, who has already more than doubled the program record for power-play goals by a freshman defenseman, became the 14th defenseman (19th instance) in program history with at least five power-play goals in a season after his power-play goal at Brown on Jan. 24.

• Another power-play goal by Veilleux would make him the first Cornell rearguard with six power-play goals in a season since Nick D’Agostino ‘13 (six) in 2011-12, while also becoming the 10th freshman overall in program history with at least six power-play goals and the first since Michael Regush (six) in 2018-19. The last Big Red player overall to record six power-play goals in a season was Dalton Bancroft (seven) in 2023-24.

• Nationally, Veilleux would become at least the 16th freshman defenseman with six power-play goals in a season since 2005-06. UMass’ Marc Del Gaizo (six) was the last to do it in 2018-19.

21K MAGIC

• Cornell enters this weekend with four players having at least 21 points, highlighted by junior forward Jonathan Castagna (13-14—27) pacing the team in goals and points. Junior forward Ryan Walsh (6-15—21), freshman forward Caton Ryan (8-13—21) and freshman defenseman Xavier Veilleux (5-16—21) all have 21 points apiece.

• It is the first time Cornell has had at least four players with 21 points or higher through its first 23 games of a season since the 2001-02 campaign, with Stephen Bâby ‘03 (6-16—22), Doug Murray ‘03 (7-15—22), Sam Paolini ‘03 (9-16—25) and Ryan Vesce ‘04 (7-16—23).

• Ryan and Veilleux, who are the 13th and 14th Cornell freshmen with at least 21 points in the first 23 games of a season and the first since Riley Nash (10-11—21) in 2007-08, are also the third Big Red freshman duo with at least 21 points in the team’s first 23 games of a season since first-years were eligible to play beginning with the 1975-76 campaign. Forwards Roy Kerling ‘82 (25-29—54) and Brock Tredway ‘81 (23-9—32) were the first to do it in 1977-78 before forwards Trent Andison ‘91 (18-15—33) and Doug Derraugh ‘91 (10-18—28) 10 years later.

• Entering this weekend, Cornell is one of nine Division I programs that have multiple freshmen with at least 21 points, joining Michigan State and Quinnipiac (three apiece) and Lindenwood, Merrimack, North Dakota, UMass, RIT and St. Thomas (two each).

SPECIAL TEAMS SPECIALIST

• Junior forward Jonathan Castagna is one of 10 Division I players who have multiple game-winning, power-play and short-handed goals this season, joining Bemidji State’s Oliver Peer, Boston University’s Jack Harvey, Miami’s David Deputy, Minnesota Duluth’s Max Plante, North Dakota’s Dylan James, St. Cloud State’s Tyson Gross and St. Thomas’ Alex Gaffney, Nathan Pilling and Lucas Van Vliet.

• Castagna, who has tallied two game-winners, two power-play goals and three short-handed goals, is just the fourth Cornell player to accomplish the feat since 1996-97 and the second to do so in as many seasons, joining Dalton Bancroft (2024-25). Mike Knoepfli ‘05 (2004-05) and Riley Nash (2008-09) are the only others to do so in the last 30 years.

• Current Cornell head coach Casey Jones ‘90 also achieved the feat as a sophomore in 1987-88, posting two game-winners, four power-play goals and two short-handed goals.

JONNY-ON-THE-DOT

• Junior forward Jonathan Castagna boasts the nation’s top faceoff win percentage among players with at least 250 faceoff wins, going 293-of-450 (65.1 percent). Castagna is one of four players this season with at least 250 wins and a success rate of at least 60.0 percent, while also posting the third-highest faceoff wins per game nationally (12.74), trailing averages posted by Gross (13.87) and Michigan State’s Charlie Stramel (12.75).

• Since Jan. 1, 2025, Castagna has won 63.5 percent of his draws (500-of-787), making him one of two active Division I players with at least 400 faceoff wins and a 60.0 percent win rate, joined by Veinbergs (60.9 percent, 545-of-895).

• Castagna has won at least 13 faceoffs in 11 games this season, tied with Dartmouth’s Hank Cleaves and Holy Cross’ Jack Stockfish for the seventh-most games with at least 13 faceoff wins.

• Dating back to his freshman year, Castagna’s 59.61 percent faceoff win rate (803-of-1347) leads all active players with at least 700 faceoff wins, ahead of Veinbergs (742-of-1246, 59.55 percent) by six-hundreths of a percentage point.

SHORT-HANDED SPECIALISTS

• Junior forward Jake Kraft scored Cornell’s fourth short-handed goal in the Big Red’s 2-1 overtime victory over then-No. 10 Dartmouth on Jan. 23. The Big Red’s four short-handed goals — led by junior forward Jonathan Castagna’s three short-handed tallies — are tied with Air Force, Augustana, Bentley, Lake Superior State, Long Island and RPI for the ninth-highest total this season.

• Castagna enters this weekend tied with Michigan’s Josh Eernisse and St. Thomas’ Alex Gaffney and Nathan Pilling for the second-most short-handed goals (three). Penn State’s Dane Dowiak (four) paces the country in short-handed goals.

• With his short-handed goal on Jan. 11 against Alaska, Castagna became the 17th Cornell player (19th instance) with three short-handed goals in a season and just the fifth since 1980-81, joining Randy MacFarlane ‘85 (three in 1984-85), Doug Derraugh ‘91 (three in 1990-91), Brad Chartrand ‘96 (three in 1995-96) and Mike Iggulden ‘05 (four in 2004-05) — all of whom were seniors. Castagna is the first non-senior to tally three short-handed goals in a season since Roy Kerling ‘82 (three in 1979-80) as a sophomore.

• Should Castagna net another short-handed goal, he would become the seventh Cornell player in the program’s modern era (since 1957-58) with four short-handed goals in a season, joining Jim Stevens ‘64 (four in 1961-62), Doug Ferguson ‘67 (four in 1964-65), Dan Lodboa ‘70 (four in 1969-70), Jim Vaughan ‘77 (five in 1975-76), Lance Nethery ‘79 (four in 1977-78) and Iggulden (four in 2004-05).

• After also scoring four short-handed goals last season, Cornell’s eight short-handed goals over the last two seasons match the combined output between the 2014-15 and 2023-24 seasons (eight).

• With its next short-handed goal, Cornell will have its highest single-season short-handed goal total since 2011-12, when it tallied six goals while on the penalty kill.

(BIG) RED MEANS STOP

• Cornell enters this weekend with the best scoring defense in Division I, allowing just 1.913 goals per game (44 goals in 23 games). The Big Red and Michigan State (1.964) are the only two programs in the nation averaging under two goals allowed per game.

• The 44 goals allowed by Cornell entering this weekend are the lowest total in Division I hockey, five fewer than the second-place holder Dartmouth (49).

• Cornell’s defensive excellence has been a consistent hallmark of the program, having finished in the top 12 nationally in scoring defense in each of the past eight seasons — the longest active streak in Division I. The Big Red have been in the top 12 in 10 of the last 11 seasons.

• Since 2016-17, Cornell has averaged 1.980 goals allowed per game, joining Minnesota State (1.914) as the only Division I programs under 2.00 in that span. The Big Red haven’t allowed 100 goals in a season since 1997-98, a 26-year streak twice as long as any other active run in the nation (Minnesota State and Providence each at 13 seasons).

ALEXIS-CELLENCE BETWEEN THE PIPES

• Freshman goaltender Alexis Cournoyer has been stellar through his first 19 collegiate games, posting a 14-5-0 record with a 1.91 goals-against average and .922 save percentage.

• Cournoyer is one of seven goaltenders in Cornell’s modern era (since 1957-58) to register at least 14 wins in his first 19 career appearances, joining Ken Dryden ‘69 (18), Brian Cropper ‘70 (16), Dave LeNeveu and Matthew Galajda (14 each) and Dave Elenbaas ‘72 and Brian Hayward ‘82 (13 each).

• With a win in his next outing, Cournoyer would become one of 11 goaltenders since the 2005-06 season to have 15 wins in his first 20 career outings. If he appears in and wins both games this weekend, he would become the eighth goaltender with 16 wins in his first 21 career games over the same span.

• Among Division I goaltenders who have played at least 33 percent of their team’s minutes, Cournoyer ranks fifth in goals-against average and is one of six netminders with a goals-against average under 2.00, joining Quinnipiac’s Dylan Silverstein (1.58), Dartmouth’s Emmett Croteau (1.71), North Dakota’s Jan Špunar (1.73), Providence’s Jack Parsons (1.89) and Michigan State’s Trey Augustine (1.96).

• Since 2005-06, Cournoyer is one of five Cornell goaltenders to post a sub-2.00 goals-against average in his first 19 career games, joining Mitch Gillam ‘17 (1.53, 2013-15), Matthew Galajda (1.61, 2017-18), Ian Shane ‘25 (1.76, 2021-22) and Hayden Stewart ‘18 (1.97, 2014-18).

FRESH IMPACT

• Cornell’s 12-player freshman class has made an immediate impression this season, combining for 87 of the Big Red’s 217 points this season (40.1 percent). The Big Red are one of seven Division I programs — four of which are from ECAC Hockey — that are receiving at least 40 percent of its offensive production from first-year players.

• The Big Red have the third-highest percentage of goals scored by freshmen in Division I this season (46.3 percent — 37-of-80), trailing ECAC Hockey counterparts St. Lawrence (52.9 percent, 37-of-70) and Quinnipiac (47.0 percent, 62-of-132). Clarkson is tied with Lindenwood and Miami for the fourth-highest average (44.9 percent, 40-for-89).

• Six Cornell freshmen have scored at least three goals this season: Gio DiGiulian (nine), Caton Ryan (eight), Aiden Long (seven), Reegan Hiscock and Xavier Veilleux (five each) and Chase Pirtle (three). The Big Red are tied with Colorado College, Miami, Michigan Tech, Providence and Quinnipiac for the second-most freshmen with at least three-plus goals. Arizona State paces the nation with seven such players.

• This season marks the second time in program history — and second instance in the last three seasons — Cornell has had at least six freshmen score three or more goals in a season, joining the 2023-24 squad (Ryan Walsh — 12; Jonathan Castagna — 11; Luke Devlin — six; Ben Robertson — five; Jake Kraft — four; George Fegaras — three).

• Cornell is one of three programs with a quintet of first-years with at least five goals this season, accompanied by Arizona State and Clarkson.

• It is also the second time in program history that the Big Red have had at least five first-year players score five or more goals in a season, joining the 2002-03 team (Matt Moulson ‘06 — 13; Shane Hynes — 11; Cam Abbott ‘06 — seven; Daniel Pegoraro ‘06 — six; Chris Abbott ‘06 — five).

• With forward Caton Ryan (8-13—21) and defenseman Xavier Veilleux (5-16—21) both already having 21 points this season, it is the ninth time Cornell has had multiple freshmen with 21-plus points, joining the teams from 2023-24 (three) and 1977-78, 1984-85, 1987-88, 1989-90, 1998-99, 1999-00 and 2011-12 (two apiece).

ON THE PLUS SIDE

• Senior forward Nick DeSantis enters this weekend with a career plus-minus rating of plus-47, tied with Boston College’s Drew Fortescue and Andre Gasseau and Denver’s Rieger Lorenz for eighth among active Division I players.

• DeSantis, whose rating is tied with Gasseau and Lorenz for fourth among active forwards, is one of eight Division I forwards with at least a plus-40 career rating. Along with his teammate, junior forward Jonathan Castagna (plus-43), Cornell is one of two programs with multiple forwards having career plus-40 ratings, joining Quinnipiac’s Mason Marcellus (plus-63) and Victor Czerneckianair (plus-53).

• DeSantis’ plus-47 rating is tied with Brenden Locke ‘21 for the fourth-highest rating by a forward and sixth overall in program history since the statistic began being officially tracked in the 2002-03 season. Those ahead of DeSantis and Locke are Ondrej Psenicka ‘25 and Tim Rego ‘25 (both plus-58), Greg Miller ‘12 (plus-52), Travis Mitchell ‘23 (plus-51) and Kyle Penney ‘25 (plus-50).

POWER (PLAY) SURGE

• Despite only having four power-play goals in its last 31 opportunities (12.9 percent) since Jan. 10, Cornell’s power play still ranks as one of the best in the nation, converting at a 24.1 percent clip that ranks 14th nationally and is second among ECAC Hockey programs (Quinnipiac, 25.0 percent, ninth).

• The Big Red’s turnaround on the power play from last season has been dramatic, with Cornell already having three more goals (19) than last year’s total (16). Last season, the Big Red converted on just 14.7 percent of its power plays (16-for-109).

• Six players have multiple power-play goals this season, powered by freshman defenseman Xavier Veilleux five markers. Junior forward Ryan Walsh (three), junior forward Jonathan Castagna, sophomore forward Charlie Major and freshman forwards Gio DiGiulian and Caton Ryan (two apiece) also have multiple markers while having an extra attacker.

• Cornell’s six players with multiple power-play goals are its highest total since also having six players in 2022-23. The total is tied for the 12th-highest total in Division I hockey.

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 RPI

• RPI is coming off a weekend split in the North Country against Clarkson and St. Lawrence. The Engineers have lost 10 of its last 12 games (2-10-0).

• Forward Luciano Wilson (5-14—19), a transfer from Minnesota State, leads the team in both assists and points. Fellow forward Filip Sitar (8-6—14) leads all RPI players in goals.

• Nate Krawchuk (4-14-0, 3.21, .899) has started in 18 of his 19 outings on the season, while Bruno Bruveris (2-6-0, 4.05, .867) has made 10 appearances and made eight starts.

123 YEARS, 258 MILES, 168 MEETINGS

• Cornell will be seeking to extend its win streak over the Engineers to eight games on Friday. A win would match the Big Red’s longest win streak over RPI, an eight-game streak between March 9, 1974, and Feb. 13, 1979.

• During its current seven-game win streak, the Big Red have outscored RPI 32-10 with an average scoring margin of plus-2.86 while registered at least three goals in each game. The Big Red have won 10 of its last 11 against RPI, while averaging 4.73 goals per game. All 10 victories have been decided by multiple goals.

• A win Friday would be Cornell’s fourth straight at Houston Field House, the program’s longest win streak at the venue since a five-game stretch between Feb. 10, 2007, and Feb. 12, 2011.

CORNELL - RPI CONNECTIONS

• RPI assistant coach Cory Schneider served as an assistant coach for Cornell head coach Casey Jones in his final two seasons at Clarkson (2022-24) ... Remington Keopple and Matthew Jovanovic played together on the 2020-21 Des Moines Buccaneers ... Sean Donaldson, Kazimier Sobieski and Gustavs Ozolins were teammates on the 2021-22 Sioux Falls Stampede ... Aiden Long played with Rainers Rullers in 2023-24 and Ian Scherezer last year on the Madison Capitols ... Erick Roest and Lucas Lemieux competed together on the Canada West U19 Team at the 2023 World Junior ‘A’ Challenge ... Justin Katz played on the West Kelowna Warriors with Landen Hilditch (2022-24) and Jackson Kyrkostas (2023-24), while Katz, Luke Devlin and Hilditch all played together in 2022-23 ... Caton Ryan and Michael Fisher played with Hilditch on last year’s Penticton Vees ... Hoyt Stanley spent two seasons on the Victoria Grizzlies (2021-23) with Jack Gorton, while Reegan Hiscock was also on the Grizzlies’ roster in 2022-23 ... Devlin, Keopple and Dovar Tinling were teammates on the 2021-22 Des Moines Buccaneers ... Jake Kraft and Ryan Walsh played with Bruno Bruveris on the 2022-23 Cedar Rapids RoughRiders ... Nicholas Wolfenberg and Jagger Tapper were teammates for three years on the Okotoks Oilers (2021-24) ... Luke Ashton and Luciano Wilson played together last year at Minnesota State.

NEW LINE SPARKS #19 MEN'S HOCKEY ROUT OF RPI, FOUR-GAME HOMESTAND SWEEP

BOX SCORE | RECAP | HIGHLIGHTS | POSTGAME INTERVIEWS

ITHACA, N.Y. (NOV. 22, 2025) — A newly formed line delivered the perfect exclamation point to the Cornell men's hockey team's four-game homestand sweep as juniors Luke Devlin and Ryan Walsh and sophomore Charlie Major combined for 10 points in their debut as a unit, powering the No. 19-ranked Big Red to a 6-1 rout of RPI on Saturday night at Lynah Rink.

Walsh distributed a career-high five assists, Major contributed a goal and two assists, and Devlin notched his first multi-goal game at Cornell as the Big Red improved to 6-2-0 overall and 5-1-0 in ECAC Hockey play.

Devlin praised his new linemates after the game, noting the immediate chemistry the trio displayed.

"I thought we clicked really well tonight. We worked off each other really well," Devlin said. "They make your life really easy. For me, I don't have to do too much, just have to make sure I'm working hard and keeping up with them. Then they make a lot of great plays."

Cornell opened the scoring just 3:54 into the first period when junior forward Jake Kraft found the back of the net. Devlin extended the lead to 2-0 at 7:23 of the opening frame before RPI's Matthew Buckley cut the deficit to 2-1 late in the period.

The Big Red seized control in the second period, scoring twice to build a commanding 4-1 advantage. Devlin netted his second goal just one minute into the frame, then junior Jonathan Castagna converted on the power play at 17:13.

The power-play tally extended Cornell's streak of scoring with the man advantage to four games and came on crisp puck movement. Freshman defenseman Xavier Veilleux started the sequence from the point, feeding Walsh at the left hashmark of the left faceoff circle. Walsh delivered a tape-to-tape pass to Castagna, who one-timed the puck past RPI goaltender Nate Krawchuk from the right hashmark.

"We're just executing what we planned before the game," Castagna said, crediting the power play's recent success to a focused approach. "We knew what we had to do. A focus of ours is getting more pucks to the net. Really focusing on just attacking all the time and we've been pretty successful at that. As long as we keep that up, we'll see continued success."

Major pushed the lead to 5-1 at 4:48 of the third period before Castagna sealed the victory with a short-handed goal with 6.2 seconds remaining. Sophomore defenseman Luke Ashton collected the puck and sent a long outlet pass to Castagna, who drew a slashing penalty on the play, and backhanded a shot into the top right corner.

Freshman goaltender Alexis Cournoyer continued his impressive start to his collegiate career, stopping 23 of 24 shots to improve to 6-1-0 on the season.

SCOUTING UNION

• Union is also coming off a weekend split in its trip to the North Country, which included losing to Clarkson, 8-7, in overtime last Saturday. The Garnet Chargers have split all four of their ECAC Hockey series in the 2026 portion of the schedule.

• Entering this weekend, Union owns the ninth-best scoring offense (3.61) in addition to the nation’s top penalty kill, allowing just nine power-play goals in 91 opportunities (90.1 percent).

• Forward Brandon Buhr (17-10—27) leads the team in goal scoring and is tied with defenseman Tyler Dunbar (11-16—27) for the lead in points. Parker Lindauer (6-19—25) has posted the most assists.

• Dunbar’s 27 points this season are the third-most by a Division I defenseman, only one point behind Denver’s Eric Pohlkamp (16-12—28) and Minnesota Duluth’s Ty Hanson (8-20—28).

• Cameron Korpi (9-6-2, 2.37, .898) has started all 17 of his appearances. Freshman Brayden Gillespie
(7-3-0, 2.25, .914) has made 12 of his 13 appearances on the year since early December and 11 of his 13 appearances have come in conference contests (5-3-0, 2.40, .914).

66 YEARS, 326 MILES, 142 MEETINGS

• Cornell is vying to win consecutive games against Union since winning six straight to punctuate a nine-game unbeaten streak (8-0-1) between March 16, 2019, and Feb. 10, 2024.

• With a win Saturday, Union will have posted consecutive home victories over Cornell for the first time since posting wins of 7-1 (Feb. 21, 1997) and 4-2 (Dec. 5, 1997).

• The Big Red are unbeaten in 10 of its last 13 (9-3-1) and 18 of its last 23 (16-5-2) against Union, outscoring the Garnet Chargers by a 84-44 clip over the last 23 games.

CORNELL - UNION CONNECTIONS

• Cornell head coach Casey Jones coached Union’s Brandon Buhr (2022-23) and Carter Rose (2023-24) at Clarkson, where Union head coach Josh Hauge served as an assistant (2015-19) and associate head coach (2019-22) under Jones ... Nick DeSantis and D.J. Hart were teammates with the Sioux Falls Stampede in 2018-19 and the Madison Capitols in 2021-22 ... Aiden Long and Will Felicio played together with the Madison Capitols in 2023-24 ... Marian Mosko, Hart and Tyler Dunbar were teammates on the Lincoln Stars in 2022-23 ... Gio DiGiulian and Étienne Lessard played together on last year’s Lincoln Stars ... Tyler Catalano and Winter Wallace played with Carter Rose and Nate Hanley on the Youngstown Phantoms in 2020-21, while Catalano, Wallace and Chase Pirtle played with Rose in 2021-22 ... Jake Kraft and Ryan Walsh played with Connor Smith on the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders in 2022-23, while Donovan Hamilton played with Smith and Ben Muthersbaugh in 2023-24 ... Luke Devlin played with Dunbar on the Muskegon Lumberjacks in 2020-21, as did George Fegaras and Xavier Veilleux in 2022-23 ... Jonathan Castagna and Alex Laurenza were teammates with the Newmarket Hurricanes in 2022-23 ... Luke Ashton and Luke Buss played together with the Vernon Vipers in 2021-22 after Wallace and Buss were teammates on Shattuck St. Mary’s 18U Prep team in 2019-20.

FRESHMEN SHINE AS #20 MEN'S HOCKEY TOPS BROWN TO WIN SIXTH STRAIGHT HOME OPENER

BOX SCORE | RECAP | HIGHLIGHTS | POSTGAME INTERVIEWS

ITHACA, N.Y. (NOV. 21, 2025) — Sophomore forward Charlie Major broke open a 1-1 tie with 1:49 remaining in the second period, and the No. 19-ranked Cornell men's hockey team staved off a late push by No. 20 Union to post a 2-1 victory at Lynah Rink on Friday night.

Major's game-winner came off an aggressive forecheck deep in Union's zone. After dumping the puck in, Major intercepted a pass at the far half-wall and wristed a shot from the left faceoff circle past Union goaltender Cameron Korpi for his second goal of the season.

"Big time goal by Charlie there," said Casey Jones '90, the Jay R. Bloom '77 Head Coach of Cornell Men's Hockey. "It was a great forecheck. He turned that puck over and was a big time shot. In games like this, you need your playmakers to step forward."

Sophomore defenseman Xavier Veilleux scored the equalizer for Cornell (5-2-0, 4-1-0 ECAC Hockey) just five seconds into the Big Red's first power play on the night, responding to Will Felicio's power-play tally for Union (8-3-1, 2-3-0 ECAC Hockey) nearly three minutes earlier. Following a faceoff win by junior forward Jonathan Castagna, junior defenseman Hoyt Stanley fed Veilleux at the right point, and his one-timer found the back of the net.

Union had struck first at 9:50 of the opening period when Felicio found space at the left point, taking a pass from Tyler Dunlap and skating to the top of the left faceoff circle before beating freshman goaltender Alexis Cournoyer. The goal snapped Cornell's streak of 10 consecutive successful penalty kills.

The Garnet Chargers entered the night averaging 4.00 goals per game, third-best in the nation, but the Big Red's stingy defense limited Union to just 19 shots on goal and a single tally. After Union's 10 shots in the opening period, Cornell clamped down defensively, allowing just nine shots on goal over the final 40 minutes.

"I probably thought the most about that second, third period — to give up four shots and five shots respectively to a good offensive team," Jones said. "I thought we hunted and traveled in packs. We use that term a lot ... not just one guy. We were collective in the process."

Cornell dominated third-period action for the first 15 minutes, yielding only five Union shot attempts and one shot on goal. Cournoyer shoved aside four Garnet Chargers shots in the final five minutes, two of which came in the final 30 seconds, preserving the one-goal lead.

"At that point in time, they need to take the risk, right?" Jones said of protecting the third-period lead. "That was a good third period and a step in the right direction for us. A team like that they usually put a lot of shots on net, so to only give up five shots in the third, it shows that we respected the game, played the right way. I thought our 'D' got pucks out of the zone for us pretty quickly."

Cournoyer finished the night with 18 saves, improving to 5-1-0 on the year. Korpi made 21 saves for Union in the losing effort.

#9 MEN'S HOCKEY FALLS TO COLGATE IN OVERTIME

BOX SCORE | RECAP | HIGHLIGHTS

ITHACA, N.Y. (FEB. 7, 2026) — Isaiah Norlin's second goal of the night, 1:11 into overtime, lifted visiting Colgate to a 3-2 victory over ninth-ranked Cornell before a sold-out crowd of 4,267 at Lynah Rink on Saturday night.

Norlin became just the third opposing player with a multi-goal game against the Big Red (17-6-0, 12-4-0 ECAC Hockey) this season. Max Nagel registered three assists — the first three-point game by a Cornell opponent this season, snapping a 32-game streak dating back to Feb. 21, 2025. Norlin's defensive pairmate Michael Neumeier added a goal and an assist for the Raiders (11-14-3, 8-6-2 ECAC Hockey).

Freshman forward Caton Ryan was Cornell's lone player to tally multiple points on the night, contributing to both Big Red goals. Ryan's classmate, Gio DiGiulian, opened the scoring 6:08 into the contest, snapping a shot that beat Dyck to his blocker side from the top of the slot.

Raiders goaltender Reid Dyck weathered Cornell's second-period pressure despite being outshot 12-5 in the middle frame, finishing with 31 saves — his seventh 30-save performance this season. While Dyck stood tall, Norlin and Neumeier gave the visitors the lead with a pair of power-play goals in a penalty-ridden frame that featured a combined 11 infractions. Norlin tied the game at the 10:17 mark before Neumeier gave the Raiders the lead with 2:32 left in the period.

Ryan tied the game up just 3:03 into the third period, finishing off a feed from sophomore forward Charlie Major, who posted his ninth point (4-5—9) in six career games against Colgate.

The Big Red appeared to seize control with 3:40 remaining in regulation when junior forward Jake Kraft crashed the crease and buried what looked like the go-ahead goal. Officials immediately waved it off for goaltender interference. Cornell head coach Casey Jones '90 challenged the call, arguing that a Colgate defender had pushed Kraft into Dyck, but video review upheld the ruling. The sold-out Lynah Rink crowd voiced its displeasure as the score remained tied at 2-2.

After Cornell won the opening faceoff and controlled early possession, Colgate's aggressive forecheck paid dividends. Easton Wainwright's pressure caused junior defenseman Hoyt Stanley to tumble near the Raiders' bench. Nagel capitalized with a toe-drag deke that set up Norlin, who lifted the puck over sprawling goaltender Alexis Cournoyer to split the season series. The freshman netminder finished the night with 19 saves.

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 concludes its four-game road trip next weekend when it travels to play No. 5 Quinnipiac (22-5-3, 13-2-1 ECAC Hockey) and Princeton (14-9-1, 10-6-0 ECAC Hockey) in its final pair of regular-season road games. Both games are scheduled for 7 p.m. starts and will be streamed live on ESPN+.

• Quinnipiac posted a 4-1 victory over Cornell after the Big Red had defeated Princeton, 2-1, the night prior.