Cornell men’s hockey closed the regular season with a 2-1 victory over Clarkson on Senior Night Saturday evening at Lynah Rink, securing its 20th win of the season and finishing ECAC Hockey play at 15-6-1.
Senior goaltender Remington Keopple made 20 saves, including a key stop in the final minute, as Cornell withstood a late Clarkson push following a third-period penalty. The win marked the program’s best regular-season record since the 2019-20 campaign.
After a scoreless first period highlighted by strong defensive play and nine blocked shots by Cornell, freshman forward Caton Ryan opened the scoring midway through the second period with a power-play goal, his 11th of the season. Ryan’s tally continued a standout rookie campaign, giving him 27 points on the year.
Junior defenseman Hoyt Stanley doubled the lead early in the third period, finishing near the crease following an offensive-zone faceoff win. Stanley was later assessed a five-minute major and game misconduct with 4:31 remaining, forcing Cornell’s penalty kill to protect the lead down the stretch.
Clarkson cut the deficit to 2-1 midway through the third on a breakaway goal by Tristan Sarsland, ending Keopple’s shutout streak at 111 minutes, 28 seconds. The Golden Knights generated several late chances during the extended power play, but Cornell’s defense and Keopple preserved the victory.
Cornell limited Clarkson to 21 shots and improved its all-time series advantage to 75-61-20.
The Big Red will next host an ECAC Hockey quarterfinal best-of-three series beginning Friday, March 13, at Lynah Rink. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m., with Game 2 set for Saturday, March 14 at 7 p.m.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].