#9 Men's Hockey Set to Face Colgate in Home-and-Home Series

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 (16-5-0, 11-3-0 ECAC Hockey) and Colgate (10-13-3, 7-5-2) renew their rivalry this weekend in the annual home-and-home series, a rematch of last year’s ECAC Hockey best-of-three quarterfinal series.

• Friday’s game at the Class of 1965 Arena in Hamilton starts at 7:30 p.m., with the series shifting to Lynah Rink on Saturday for a 7 p.m. contest. Both games will stream live on ESPN+.

JONESING FOR VICTORIES

• Fresh off his 250th career head coaching win at Brown last Saturday, first-year Cornell head coach Casey Jones ‘90 has the Big Red off to a 16-5-0 (.762) start — the program’s best through 21 games since 2019-20 (15-2-4, .810).

• It marks just the 12th time in program history and first since 2017-18 (18-2-1, .881) that Cornell has recorded at least 16 wins through its first 21 games.

• Jones’ .762 win percentage ranks second among Big Red head coaches through their first 21 games, trailing only Dick Bertrand ‘70, who started 18-3-0 (.842) in 1970-71. Brian McCutcheon ‘71 (15-6-0, .714) is the only other Cornell coach to post at least a .700 mark over that span.

• A sweep of Colgate would push Jones’ record to 18-5-0 (.783) through 23 games, keeping him second all-time behind Bertrand (20-3-0, .870). It would also mark the 12th time Cornell has reached 18 wins within its first 23 games and the earliest since 2017-18, when the Big Red won its 18th in its 21st game.

• Cornell enters this weekend having won 10 of its last 11 games. A sweep of Colgate would give the Big Red 12 victories in its last 13 contests, its best such stretch in a single season since going 12-0-1 between Feb. 4 and March 26, 2005 — the final 13 games of a 19-game unbeaten streak (18-0-1) that ranks tied for fourth-longest in program history.

• Among the 11 Division I programs with first-year head coaches this season, Cornell’s .762 win percentage is tied with North Dakota (16-5-0) for the best mark. Michigan Tech (11-8-2, .571) and RIT (12-9-0, .571) are the only other programs with winning records under new leadership.

MODEL OF CONSISTENCY

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

• The Big Red enters this weekend 11-3-0 in league play. A win Friday in Hamilton would mark the 13th time in program history Cornell has reached 12 conference wins within its first 15 league games and the quickest to 12 wins since 2017-18, when the Big Red opened conference play 12-1-1.

• A sweep would give Cornell 13 league wins through 16 conference games for the first time since 2017-18 (13-1-1) and mark the Big Red’s first 13-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).

FAITHFUL TO LYNAH

• Cornell has posted a 28-6-2 (.806) record at Lynah Rink since Jan. 1, 2024, one of 10 Division I programs with at least a .700 home winning percentage over that span. The Big Red’s win percentage only trails ECAC Hockey rival Quinnipiac (31-6-3, .813).

• The Big Red’s 11 home wins this season are tied with Penn State for the third-most in Division I hockey this season. Augustana (13-1-3) and Dartmouth (13-1-1) are the only programs with more home wins this season, each registering 13 home victories. Cornell enters the weekend one of seven teams with at least 10 home wins.

• With its win over then-No. 18 Princeton on Jan. 16, Cornell logged its ninth home win of the season, extending its streak of nine-plus home wins to 10 consecutive seasons — the fifth-longest active streak in Division I behind Minnesota (49), Denver (26), North Dakota (24), and Minnesota State (13).

THE ‘X’ FACTOR

• Freshman defenseman Xavier Veilleux, who posted a season-high three points (1-2—3) against Brown last Saturday, has points in six of his last eight games (2-7—9), nine of his previous 12 (3-11—14), and 11 of his last 15 (4-12—16).

• Veilleux’s 18 points (5-13—18) are the most by any freshman defenseman this season, ahead of Penn State’s Jackson Smith (8-9—17) and North Dakota’s Keaton Verhoeff (6-11—17). Veilleux is one of just six first-year rearguards with at least 15 points. He is also one of three active Division I defensemen who registered at least 18 points in their first 21 career games, joining Penn State’s Mac Gadowsky (4-15—19 with Army in 2023-24) and Boston University’s Cole Hutson (5-16—21 in 2024-25).

• The 18 points posted by Veilleux so far this season are tied with Nick D’Agostino ‘13 (4-14—18 in 2009-10) for the fifth-most by a freshman defenseman in program history.

• With Veilleux’s next point, he would match Bruce Frauley ‘91 (1-18—19 in 1987-88) for fourth, while a two-point weekend would make him the fourth Cornell first-year blueliner with a 20-point season, accompanying Mark McRae ‘03 (5-16—21 in 1999-00), Chris Norton ‘88 (4-19—23 in 1984-85) and Ben Robertson (5-18—23 in 2023-24).

• 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 Penn State’s Jackson Smith for the nation’s lead among defensemen and make him one of 13 freshmen nationally with at least five power-play goals.

• Veilleux has already more than doubled the program record for power-play goals by a freshman defenseman, surpassing the previous mark of two. His power-play goal at Brown last Saturday made him the 14th defenseman (19th instance) with at least five power-play goals in a season.

• Another power-play goal this weekend would make Veilleux the first Cornell rearguard with six power-play goals in a season since Nick D’Agostino ‘13 (six) in 2011-12. He would also become 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.

MULTI-POINT MACHINE

• Junior forward Jonathan Castagna enters this weekend with multiple points in each of his last three games, the longest such streak by a Big Red player since forward Ondrej Psenicka ‘25 between March 15-22, 2024. His current three-game multi-point streak is tied with Colgate’s Ryan Sullivan for the longest active streak in Division I hockey.

• With another multi-point game on Friday, Castagna would be the first Cornell player with four consecutive multi-point games since defenseman Sam Malinski ‘23 between Jan. 14-27, 2023. The last forward to accomplish the feat was Ben Berard ‘23 from Dec. 29, 2022, to Jan. 7, 2023.

• Multi-point games in both contests this weekend would tie the longest streak of the season, previously done by Air Force’s Nick Sajevic, Bentley’s Jake Black, Princeton’s Kai Daniells and St. Cloud State’s Austin Burnevik, and mark the first five-game multi-point streak in Big Red history since forward Morgan Barron from Jan. 5-19, 2019.

• Castagna enters the weekend on a four-game point streak (4-4—8) and has points in 10 of his last 12 games (9-10—19) and 13 of his last 16 (11-12—23).

OFFENSIVE CATALYST

• Junior forward Jonathan Castagna’s 13 goals are five more than the second-place holder on the team, freshman forward Gio DiGiulian (eight). He is the first Cornell player to reach 13 goals through the team’s first 21 games since Blake Gallagher ‘10 in 2009-10 and just the sixth Big Red player (seventh instance) to accomplish the feat since 1990-91, joining Doug Derraugh ‘91 (18) and Ryan Hughes ‘93 (15), both in 1990-91, Brad Chartrand ‘96 (16 in 1995-96), Matt Moulson ‘06 (15 in 2004-05 and 14 in 2005-06) and Gallagher (13 in 2009-10).

• Castagna’s 0.62 goals per game average is tied with UConn’s Joey Muldowney for the 12th-best average in Division I hockey, while ranking third in ECAC Hockey behind Dartmouth’s Hayden Stovroff — who leads the country with a 0.96 goals per game average — and Union’s Brandon Buhr (0.65).

• The 25 points posted by Castagna are the most by a Big Red player through the team’s first 21 games since forward Gabriel Seger ‘24 (9-17—26) in 2023-24. Castagna is the sixth player (seventh instance) since 2000-01 with 25 points through the team’s first 21 games, joining Ryan Vesce ‘04 (12-17—29) and Stephen Bâby ‘03 (7-20—27) in 2002-03, Moulson (12-13—25 in 2003-04 and 15-12—27 in 2004-05), Gallagher (13-13—26 in 2009-10) and Seger.

SPECIAL TEAMS SPECIALIST

• Junior forward Jonathan Castagna is one of eight 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, Minnesota Duluth’s Max Plante, North Dakota’s Dylan James, 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 267-of-413 (64.7 percent). His percentage is nearly two-and-a-half percentage points higher than St. Cloud State’s Tyson Gross (62.2 percent). Castagna is one of five 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 (12.71), trailing averages posted by Gross (14.25) and Michigan State’s Charlie Stramel (12.73).

• Since Jan. 1, 2025, Castagna has won 63.2 percent of his draws (474-of-750), making him one of two active Division I players with at least 400 faceoff wins and a 60.0 percent win rate, joined by Colorado College’s Klavs Veinbergs (61.1 percent, 523-of-856).

• Having won at least 13 faceoffs in 10 games this season, Castagna is tied with Dartmouth’s Hank Cleaves, Holy Cross’ Jack Stockfish, Michigan’s T.J. Hughes and Minnesota Duluth’s Zam Plante for the sixth-most games with at least 13 faceoff wins. Only Gross (16), Stramel and Western Michigan’s Owen Michaels (14 apiece), Army’s Barron Woodring (13) and Veinbergs (11) have more such games.

• Dating back to the beginning of his freshman year in 2023-24, Castagna’s 59.3 percent faceoff win rate (777-of-1310) is second among all active players with at least 700 faceoff wins, trailing Veinbergs (720-of-1207, 59.7 percent) by three-thousandths 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 seven programs for the eighth-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). 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 (2004-05).

(BIG) RED MEANS STOP

• Cornell enters this weekend with the best scoring defense in Division I, allowing just 1.857 goals per game. The Big Red and Michigan State (1.885) are the only two programs in the nation averaging under two goals allowed per game.

• 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 ranked in the top 12 in 10 of the last 11 seasons overall.

• Since 2016-17, Cornell has averaged 1.976 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 17 collegiate games, posting a 13-4-0 record with a 1.84 goals-against average and .923 save percentage.

• Cournoyer is one of six goaltenders in Cornell’s modern era (since 1957-58) to register at least 13 wins in his first 17 career appearances, joining Ken Dryden ‘69 (16), Brian Cropper ‘70 and Dave LeNeveu (14 each) and Brian Hayward ‘82 and Matthew Galajda (13 each).

• Among Division I goaltenders who have played at least 33 percent of their team’s minutes, Cournoyer ranks third in goals-against average, trailing North Dakota’s Jan Špunar (1.73) and Dartmouth’s Emmett Croteau (1.76) for the best goals-against average.

• Since 2005-06, Cournoyer is one of four Cornell goaltenders to post a sub-2.00 goals-against average in his first 17 career games, joining Mitch Gillam ‘17 (1.54, 2013-15), Matthew Galajda (1.56, 2017-18) and Ian Shane ‘25 (1.72, 2021-22).

NO BIG NIGHTS ALLOWED

• Cornell enters this weekend as one of two Division I programs that have yet to allow a three-point game by an opposing player this season, joined by UConn.

• The Big Red have not allowed an opponent to register a three-point game in 31 consecutive contests since Clarkson’s Ayrton Martino (1-2—3) factored on all three Golden Knights’ goals in a 3-1 win over the Big Red at Lynah Rink on Feb. 21, 2025, in Ithaca, N.Y.

• The active 31-game streak by Cornell stands as the second-longest streak in Division I hockey and one of three streaks spanning 20-plus games. It trails UConn’s 36-game streak (since Feb. 8, 2025) and is ahead of Princeton’s 20-game streak (since Nov. 1, 2025).

• Cornell has allowed 11 multi-point games by opposing players this season, the fewest in Division I. Only two other teams have yielded fewer than 20 such performances: Quinnipiac (16) and Michigan State (17).

POWER (PLAY) SURGE

• Despite only having two power-play goals in its last 20 opportunities, Cornell’s power play still ranks as one of the best in the nation, converting at a 24.6 percent clip, ranking 10th nationally and first among ECAC Hockey programs. The Big Red lead the conference by nine ten-thousandths of a percentage point over Quinnipiac (24.5 percent, 11th nationally).

• Since Nov. 14, Cornell has converted at a 27.8 percent clip (15-for-54), which ranks sixth nationally. The Big Red have scored 15 of its 17 power-play goals on the season during that span.

• The Big Red’s turnaround on the power play from last season has been dramatic, with Cornell already surpassing last year’s power-play goal total (16) in 15 fewer games. Last year, the Big Red converted on just 14.7 percent of its power plays (16-for-109).

• Five players have tallied multiple power-play goals this season, led by freshman defenseman Xavier Veilleux (five), junior forward Ryan Walsh (three) and junior forward Jonathan Castagna, sophomore forward Charlie Major and freshman forward Caton Ryan (two apiece).

FRESH IMPACT

• Cornell’s 12-player freshman class has made an immediate impression this season, combining for 79 of the Big Red’s 198 points this season (39.9 percent). The Big Red are one of just eight Division I programs — four of which are from ECAC Hockey — that are receiving at least 39 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 (45.2 percent — 33-of-73), trailing St. Lawrence (53.2 percent, 33-of-62) and Lindenwood (45.9 percent, 39-of-85).

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

• Cornell is also the only Division I program that has five first-years with at least five goals this season. Arizona State, Lindenwood, Michigan, Quinnipiac and RIT are right behind the Big Red, each with four such players.

• This season marks just 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). 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).

ON THE PLUS SIDE

• Senior forward Nick DeSantis enters this weekend with a career plus-minus rating of plus-47, ranking 10th among active Division I players.

• DeSantis, whose rating ranks fifth 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-41), the group includes Quinnipiac’s Mason Marcellus (plus-58) and Victor Czerneckianair (plus-49), Michigan State’s Daniel Russell (plus-55), Boston College’s Andre Gasseau (plus-46), Denver’s Rieger Lorenz (plus-45) and Western Michigan’s Owen Michaels (plus-42).

• Cornell is one of two programs with multiple forwards having career plus-40 ratings, joining Quinnipiac (two).

• DeSantis’ plus-47 rating is tied with Brenden Locke ‘21 for the fourth-highest rating by a forward in program history since the statistic began being officially tracked in 2002-03.

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 COLGATE

• Colgate (10-13-3, 7-5-2 ECAC Hockey) enters this weekend unbeaten in its last three games (2-0-1), highlighted by a 5-2 victory over then-No. 10 Dartmouth on Jan. 24.

• Forward Simon Labelle (11-13—24) leads the Raiders in both goals and points, while Ryan Sullivan (6-16—22) paces the team in assists. Labelle carries a five-game point streak into this weekend (5-3—8), while Sullivan has registered multiple points in each of his last three contests (2-4—6).

• Reid Dyck (8-10-2, 3.06, .897) has started 19 of his 20 appearances this season. Andrew Takacs (2-3-1, 2.58, .919) has appeared in each of the last three weekends after not playing between Nov. 8 and Jan. 17.

104 YEARS, 67 MILES, 172 MEETINGS

• Cornell and Colgate will meet for the 173rd and 174th times this weekend, with the Big Red leading the all-time series 92-63-17. Cornell is unbeaten in 23 of the last 30 meetings (18-7-5).

• A win Friday would give Cornell three consecutive victories over Colgate and mark the program’s longest win streak over the Raiders since winning the final seven games of a nine-game unbeaten streak (8-0-1) between Nov. 13, 2015, and Jan. 25, 2019.

• Since Colgate moved into Class of 1965 Arena, Cornell is 7-2-1 and has scored three or more goals in eight of 10 games at the venue. A win Friday would mark Cornell’s first three consecutive road victories over Colgate since a six-game road win streak from Jan. 30, 2015, to Feb. 8, 2020.

• At Lynah Rink, the teams have split the last nine games (4-4-1). A win Saturday would give Cornell consecutive home victories over the Raiders for the first time since winning three straight between Nov. 3, 2012, and Jan. 19, 2018.

CORNELL - COLGATE CONNECTIONS

• Nick DeSantis and Ryan Sullivan played together on the Sioux Falls Stampede from 2018-20 ... Justin Katz (2021-24), Luke Devlin (2022-23) and Isaiah Norlin were all teammates on the West Kelowna Warriors ... Katz and Simone Dadiè played on the 2023-24 Powell River Kings ... Jack O’Brien, Sean Donaldson and Brett Merner were all on the 2021-22 Nanaimo Clippers ... Marian Mosko and Antonio Fernandez played together on the Lincoln Stars from 2021-23; Mosko also played with Jacob Napier on the 2022-23 Fargo Force ... Charlie Major and Jack Brandt were teammates on the 2022-23 Chicago Steel; Brandt also played with Aiden Long and Max Nagel on the 2023-24 Madison Capitols ... George Fegaras, Xavier Veilleux and Niko Rexine played on the 2022-23 Muskegon Lumberjacks.

COLGATE'S NHL CONNECTIONS

• Joshua Niedermayer is the son of Hockey Hall of Fame defenseman Scott Niedermayer and the nephew of Rob Niedermayer. Scott played 1,263 NHL games over 18 seasons from 1991-2010, registered 740 points (172 goals, 574 assists), won four Stanley Cups (1995, 2000, 2003, 2007), was named the Conn Smythe Trophy winner in 2007 and received the 2004 Norris Trophy. He has served as a senior advisor for the Anaheim Ducks since 2021. Rob played 1,153 NHL games over 17 seasons from 1993-2011, recording 469 points (186 goals, 283 assists) and winning the 2007 Stanley Cup with Anaheim alongside his brother. Joshua’s cousin, Jason Strudwick, played 674 NHL games over 14 seasons from 1995 to 2011.

• Daniel Panetta is the cousin of Andrew Shaw, who won two Stanley Cups with the Chicago Blackhawks (2013, 2015) during his 11-year NHL career from 2011-22. Shaw played 544 games and recorded 247 points (116 goals, 131 assists).

MEN'S HOCKEY STIFLES COLGATE TO SWEEP BEST-OF-THREE QUARTERFINAL SERIES

BOX SCORE | RECAP | HIGHLIGHTS

HAMILTON, N.Y. (MARCH 15, 2025) — Utilizing its effective shutdown defense, the No. 6-seeded Cornell men's hockey team (16-10-6) contained a potent Colgate offense, shutting out the No. 3-seeded Raiders (18-15-3) on Saturday night, 3-0, to sweep the best-of-three quarterfinal series at the Class of 1965 Arena.
 
Junior forward Dalton Bancroft (goal and assist) and senior defenseman Michael Suda (two assists) registered multi-point nights, aiding senior goaltender Ian Shane to a 21-save shutout and breaking his tie with Ken Dryden '69 for the fourth-most shutouts in Cornell program history.
 
Senior forward Sullivan Mack tallied the game-winning goal, and freshman forward Charlie Major added a third-period power-play goal to round out the scoring for the Big Red, who will be making the trip to Lake Placid for the third consecutive season and the sixth time since 2017.
 
Colgate's Andrew Takacs made 19 saves in the setback for the Raiders, who were held without a goal for the first time since Nov. 12, 2022, snapping its Division I-leading 100-game scoring streak.
 
Mack gave Cornell a 1-0 lead 6:37 into the contest on a nifty spin move to get past Colgate defender Antonio Fernandez. Senior defenseman Michael Suda and junior forward Dalton Bancroft had the assists after quick successive in-direct passes off the boards.

Following a scoreless second period, Cornell doubled its lead with two seconds left on a power play with a shot by Major from the bottom of the near-side faceoff circle, beating Takacs to his short side.

Following Major's goal, Colgate had four power-play opportunities in the third period, but the Big Red would play stifling defense as it had all night, allowing six shots on goal and blocking five Raiders shots.
 
Cornell was awarded a goal with nine seconds left on the power play and 28 seconds left in the contest as a Colgate defender jumped over the boards to prevent Bancroft from continuing his breakaway attempt toward an empty net.
 
Of the Big Red's 15 blocked shots on the night, 11 occurred in the third period.

DIGIULIAN, VEILLEUX LEAD #10 MEN'S HOCKEY TO WIN OVER BROWN

BOX SCORE | RECAP | HIGHLIGHTS

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (JAN. 31, 2026) — Freshman forward Gio DiGiulian scored a pair of second-period goals, including the game-winner with 10.9 seconds left in the frame, as the 10th-ranked Cornell men's hockey team posted a 4-2 victory over Brown at Meehan Auditorium on Saturday evening to sweep its southern New England road trip for a fourth consecutive season.

DiGiulian's two goals broke open a 1-1 tie, while freshman defenseman Xavier Veilleux added a goal and two assists for a three-point night — a season high — to propel the Big Red (16-5-0, 11-3-0 ECAC Hockey), which has won 10 of its last 11 contests. Junior forwards Jake Kraft and Jonathan Castagna each chipped in two assists.

The victory also marked the 250th career head coaching win for Casey Jones '90, the Jay R. Bloom '77 Head Coach of Cornell Men's Ice Hockey, making him the 15th active Division I head coach to reach that milestone.

Brown's Ben Poitras scored both goals for the Bears (4-17-1, 3-10-1 ECAC Hockey), including his second multi-goal game in his last six contests, but it wasn't enough for Brown, which is winless in 13 of its last 14 (1-12-1).

"I thought it was a good weekend of hockey for us," Jones said. "We didn't manage tonight as well as we have in the last few games. I thought we locked it down there and got the job done."

Poitras put Brown on the board first at 4:55 of the first period after defenseman Nick Traggio denied Cornell an offensive-zone entry, quickly setting up a 2-on-1 in transition. Carrying the puck into the zone, Poitras beat Cornell freshman goaltender Alexis Cournoyer to his low blocker side while a Cornell player on the ice took away the cross-slot pass. Cournoyer finished the night with 27 saves.

Just 69 seconds later, Cornell answered as freshman forward Aiden Long finished a pass from Veilleux at 6:04 to tie it, with Castagna credited with an assist on the play after initiating the sequence to Veilleux.

DiGiulian then took over in the second period as he gave Cornell a 2-1 the lead at 10:36, pouncing on his own rebound at the left post, poking a loose puck past Brown goaltender Tyler Shea. His second goal — the eventual game-winner — came with 10.9 seconds remaining in the frame after a Brown defender knocked the puck off Veilleux's stick on an attempted deke. DiGiulian's shot from the right faceoff dot evaded Shea, who attempted a sprawling cross-crease save.

Veilleux extended the lead to 4-1 nearly six minutes into the third period, lasering a shot from the right faceoff circle on the power play for his fifth goal of the season.

Brown pulled Shea for an extra attacker and scored on a power play, with Poitras notching his second goal of the night at 15:53 to make it 4-2. Despite Brown's net being empty for 3:41 of the final 3:55 of action, Cornell was unable to add an insurance goal, sending nine shots at the vacant net — including two attempts from beyond center ice — without finding the back of it.

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 will return to the road for its next four games, beginning next Friday, Feb. 13, when it travels to the Capital Region to face RPI (6-20-0, 3-11-0 ECAC Hockey) and Union (15-9-2, 5-8-1 ECAC Hockey).

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

• The Big Red swept the first meetings against the Engineers and Garnet Chargers at Lynah Rink, cruising past RPI, 6-1, on Nov. 22 after edging then-No. 20 Union, 2-1, the night before.