Princeton University Athletics

Men's Hockey Defeats No. 8 Cornell, 3-2, To Reach ECAC Championship Game

March 20, 2026 | Men's Ice Hockey

For the first time since 2018, Princeton will play for an ECAC Championship after the Tigers defeated No. 8 Cornell, 3-2, at Herb Brooks 1980 Arena in Lake Placid.

The Tigers were 0-for-3 on the power play, Cornell was 1-for-4 on the man advantage.

Cornell scored on its first shot of the game when George Fegaras had a second attempt from the point slip through Smith's pads and in to give the Big Red a 1-0 lead 2:33 into the game.

Princeton had a prime chance to even the game in the first period when

The Tigers finally broke through 2:34 into the second period when

As the clock moved past the midway mark of the third period, the Tigers worked a forecheck after a chip in from

Cornell pushed heavily as expected, and Princeton stood tall with a crucial penalty kill with under five minutes to play. After that kill,

Joshua Karnishbroke a 2-2 tie with 7:55 to go and the Tigers defended the house the rest of the way to topple the Big Red and put themselves one win away from a ticket to the NCAA Tournament.Standing in the way is No. 9 Dartmouth which defeated Clarkson, 4-0, in the first semifinal. The Tigers went 1-0-1 against the Big Green in the regular season, defeating Dartmouth at Hobey Baker Rink, 5-4, before playing to a 2-2 tie in Hanover that the Tigers secured the extra point with a win in the shootoutTurns out, good things do actually happen when you go to the net.

— Princeton Men's Ice Hockey (@princetonhockey)[pic.twitter.com/d0kgbl92xA][March 21, 2026]

Kai Daniellshad two assists in the game, while the Tigers received goals fromDavid JacobsandJulian Facchinelliin addition to the game-winner from Karnish.Arthur Smithmade 21 saves in the win, stopping seven in each period. Alexis Cournoyer also had 21 stops.The Tigers were 0-for-3 on the power play, Cornell was 1-for-4 on the man advantage.

Cornell scored on its first shot of the game when George Fegaras had a second attempt from the point slip through Smith's pads and in to give the Big Red a 1-0 lead 2:33 into the game.

Princeton had a prime chance to even the game in the first period when

Kai DaniellsfedDavid Macharging down the slot only for Ma's shot to ring off the crossbar.The Tigers finally broke through 2:34 into the second period when

David Jacobsgot his stick on anIan Devlinshot and redirected the puck past Cournoyer for his 10th goal of the season.Princeton took the lead with 13:28 to play in the second period via aLake Placid Tip Drill!

— Princeton Men's Ice Hockey (@princetonhockey)

The captain gets the Tigers on the board![@ecachockey]|[@TeamECH]|[@NCAAIceHockey][pic.twitter.com/GmWJjCpXLH][March 21, 2026]

Julian Facchinelligoal. AfterBrendan Gormanwon a faceoff in the neutral zone, he and Facchinelli pushed forward into the Cornell zone where a touch from Gorman sprung Facchinelli with just enough space to roof the puck over Cournoyer for a 2-1 Princeton lead.Ryan Walsh would level the game at 2-2 just before the end of the second period when he swatted the rebound of a Hoyt Stanley shot out of the air and in.Roof Job!

— Princeton Men's Ice Hockey (@princetonhockey)

Facchinelli puts one high above Cayuga's waters and the Tigers lead, 2-1![@ecachockey]|[@NCAAIceHockey]|[@TeamECH][pic.twitter.com/Ue9wqiOhLV][March 21, 2026]

As the clock moved past the midway mark of the third period, the Tigers worked a forecheck after a chip in from

David Mathat led to a reload fromKai Daniellswho pumped a puck towards the Cornell net that foundJoshua Karnishwho had stopped right at the far post to collect the loose puck and nudge it home to give the Tigers a lead they would not relinquish.Cornell pushed heavily as expected, and Princeton stood tall with a crucial penalty kill with under five minutes to play. After that kill,

Jake ManfreandDavid Maeach blocked two Cornell shots while the Big Red had their net empty.#### Team Stats

PRN

CBR

Shots

24

23

PPG

0

1

SHG

0

0

Penalties

5

4

Penalty Mins

10

8

Faceoffs Won

31

32

Game Leaders

Players Mentioned

Inside Baker: Julian Facchinelli

Wednesday, February 25

Inside Baker: Kai Greaves

Thursday, January 15

Inside Baker: Brendan Gorman

Wednesday, January 07

Jonny Lazarus Interviews Kai Daniells

Wednesday, November 26