No. 17 Cornell men’s hockey dropped a 4-1 decision at Clarkson on Friday night after the Golden Knights broke open a tight game with three quick goals in the third period. The Big Red fell to 6-4-0 overall and 5-2-0 in ECAC play, ending a four-game league win streak.
Jonathan Castagna scored Cornell’s only goal, converting a rebound on a first-period power play. Freshman goaltender Alexis Cournoyer made 25 saves in the loss. Cornell outshot Clarkson 34-29 but could not solve Shane Soderwall after the opening frame, as the Clarkson netminder finished with 32 stops.
Cornell controlled the early pace, generating the first stretch of offensive pressure and briefly appearing to take the lead on a point shot that was overturned on a goaltender-interference challenge. Clarkson struck first moments later, capitalizing on a neutral-zone turnover to go ahead 1-0. The Big Red answered quickly on the man advantage, and the teams traded chances through an increasingly physical remainder of the period.
Neither side scored in the second, but Clarkson delivered the decisive push early in the third. The Golden Knights scored three times in under two minutes to seize a 4-1 lead, converting on loose pucks around the crease and a sharp-angle finish. Cornell generated sustained pressure late, including several strong shifts at even strength, but Soderwall turned away all 28 shots he faced after Castagna’s tally.
Cornell closes the semester Saturday at St. Lawrence, seeking to rebound before the exam break. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.