PRINCETON – The atmosphere inside Hobey Baker Rink was electric on Saturday night, charged with the dual energy of Fan Appreciation Night and a poignant farewell to a veteran senior class. For the Princeton Tigers, tonight wasn’t just about the standings; it was about legacy. Facing a formidable No. 10/11 Cornell Big Red team—who arrived in Princeton fresh off a 6-1 demolition of No. 5 Quinnipiac—the Tigers orchestrated a gritty, emotional 4-2 comeback victory to split the season series.
Coming off a frustrating 1-1 tie against Colgate where puck control was a constant struggle, Princeton looked like a transformed team from the opening draw. However, Cornell struck first, looking to maintain their “complete game” momentum. Ryan Walsh silenced the home crowd early, slotting a goal off assists from Charlie Major and Hoyt Stanley.
The Tigers didn’t blink. Joshua Karnish ignited the comeback with a laser into the top right corner, assisted by Malcom Green and Kai Greaves. The joy was short-lived, as Cornell’s Tyler Catalano answered almost immediately to reclaim a 2-1 lead. Yet, the theme of the night was senior resilience. Before the first horn sounded, senior Brendan Gorman found the back of the net, assisted by fellow seniors David Jacobs and Jaxson Ezman, sending the teams into the tunnel locked at 2-2.
If the first period was a track meet, the second period was a defensive masterclass by Princeton—highlighted by a moment of individual brilliance. David Jacobs, playing in his final regular-season home game, intercepted a pass and found himself in a skater’s dream: a solo breakaway down the middle of the ice. With no Big Red defenders in sight, Jacobs coolly tucked the puck home to put Princeton up 3-2. The Tigers’ defense stifled Cornell’s high-powered offense for the remainder of the frame, allowing zero goals against a team that had scored six just 24 hours prior.
Entering the third period, the stakes were clear. Cornell was hunting for a first-round bye, while Princeton was fighting for conference seeding. The Tigers extended their lead early in the third, finding the gaps in Cornell’s usually impenetrable wall to make it 4-2 from an insurance goal by Malcom Green. This gave Princeton the breathing room they needed to skate them to their Senior Night Victory.
As the clock ticked down, Cornell’s desperation peaked. With five minutes remaining, the Big Red pulled their goalie for an extra attacker. The Princeton defensive corps, led by a spectacular performance from Arthur Smith in goal, stood tall. Smith turned away a barrage of shots, anchored by the veteran leadership of seniors like David Ma, Tyler Rubin, and Nick Marciano.
This win is a massive statement for Princeton. By taking down the Big Red, the Tigers prove they can compete with the upper echelon of the ECAC as they head toward the conference tournament. For the 10 seniors honored tonight—from Jayden Sison to Brendan Wang—the victory serves as a perfect bookend to their home careers.
