Junior defenseman Hoyt Stanley scored the game-winning goal with 3:09 remaining as the 13th-ranked Cornell men’s hockey team earned a 2-1 victory over No. 18 Princeton on Friday night at Lynah Rink.
The win pushed Cornell to 12-4-0 overall and 7-2-0 in ECAC Hockey, extending the Big Red’s winning streak to six games and its perfect home record to 9-0-0. Cornell has now won 11 straight games at Lynah Rink. Freshman forward Chase Pirtle scored Cornell’s other goal, while freshman goaltender Alexis Cournoyer turned aside 22 shots.
Princeton struck first just 2:56 into the game when Jaxson Ezman finished a rebound chance to give the Tigers a 1-0 lead after one period. Despite trailing, Cornell controlled possession early, highlighted by a dominant performance in the faceoff circle.
Cornell flipped the momentum in the second period, outshooting Princeton 17-5. The pressure paid off late in a power play when Pirtle redirected a shot from Caton Ryan with five seconds remaining on the man advantage to tie the game at 1-1.
The contest remained even deep into the third period until Stanley broke through, carrying the puck into the slot and finishing with a backhand to put Cornell ahead. Princeton mounted a late push with the extra attacker, but Cornell’s defense and Cournoyer held firm to seal the one-goal win.
Cornell continues its homestand on Saturday when it hosts seventh-ranked Quinnipiac at Lynah Rink. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].