The Cornell vs. Harvard game at Lina Rink is always a notable date on a college hockey fan's calendar.
However, there is little chance of going around it twice.
Or about 3 times. Or four.
As the men's hockey world waited for its fate and rested during the bye week, a first-round upset threw the seeded teams for a loop, with Cornell drawing Harvard's card. It all starts on Friday, when the Reds are scheduled to take on the Crimson at Lina Rink in a best-of-three quarterfinal series.
The winner will advance to the ECAC semifinals in Lake Placid, New York.
Fish-throwing and Raina Faithfull's antics during the match aside, this matchup won't be easy for Red. Harvard University (7-17-6 ECAC, 6-10-6 ECAC) has struggled this season, but on Nov. 11 they defeated Cornell University (17-6-6 ECAC, 12-0 ECAC) on home ice. (6 minutes, 4 losses). Both teams have evolved since their first meeting, and Cornell continues to do so going into the quarterfinals.
“To beat a rival in the playoffs doesn't happen very often, but it would be exciting. I think it's a game. [is] It’s already sold out,” said head coach Mike Shafer ’86.
Cornell University is coming off a long-awaited bye week that has done wonders for the team health-wise.
“The energy level is back,” Schaefer said. “It's not just the sick time that the players are missing, it's the recovery time. They're trying to play until the end.” [the whole game] and [they’re] I can't catch my breath and I have no energy. … It really hurt them. ”
It wasn't always decided that Red would face Crimson. Cornell was always scheduled to play the second-from-bottom seed, but a surprise upset of No. 12 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute over No. 5 Clarkson meant that Cornell's expected opponent A certain No. 7 St. Lawrence was pushed up to the third seed from the bottom, paving the way for the championship. Raina from Harvard University.
“We were all watching. [the RPI vs. Clarkson game]And it was a funny 'what if' – like, what if I got into Harvard?'' said freshman defenseman Ben Robertson. “Then we found out we were able to get Harvard, and I think everyone was pretty excited about the rivalry that was there.”
It was almost unthinkable.
“[Harvard] I didn’t really care,” Schaefer said. “You prepare some teams that you think might play, but you always end up with teams you didn't expect to play.”
Cornell and Harvard haven't met in a postseason series since 2010, but they often meet on championship weekends. Just last season, Cornell University lost 1-0 in overtime to the then-ranked Crimson in the ECAC semifinals.
This year, Red College defeated Harvard College on January 26th, marking the first time it had defeated Crimson College in more than four years. To get there again, Cornell will need to play a stifling defensive game to improve on Harvard's speed.
The defensive game is easy when you have an anchor behind you like junior goaltender Ian Schoen, who was unanimously named Ivy League Player of the Year and was awarded All-ECAC First Team honors.
Shane is relied on for his consistency and calming presence, leading the NCAA in average points per game with just 1.66 and ranking 10th nationally in save percentage at .921 percent.
Standing in front of Shane is All-ECAC Rookie Team and Third Team member Robertson. Robertson's point output has slowed, but he has received some of the best playing time in his first year on a D-corps that is undergoing serious changes.
After the Reds' shocking loss to Union on March 1st, Coach Schaefer made several personnel changes, including freshman defenseman George Fegalas, freshman defenseman Marian Mosco, and sophomore defenseman Marian Mosco. He was appointed to replace Jack O'Brien.
Schaefer is still undecided about the lineup for the series, especially the 13th skater.
“Our biggest decision was not a personnel issue, but do we dress a seventh defenseman or a 13th forward?” Schaefer said. “We'll try to resolve that here over the next few days.”
Meanwhile, Harvard wreaked havoc at the goaltender position, frequently switching back and forth between two netminders of equal value. Following a 1-0 shutout win over Princeton in the first round, sophomore Aku Koskenvuo might be expected to be the star Friday.
“[Koskenvuo] big. … No one knows who you’re going to play against, but look at you and the Finnish goalkeeper. [see] He’s got really good size,” Schaefer said. “We have to get everyone in.” [in front] And let him look around you. Generate traffic online and look for rebounds. ”
Harvard has struggled to score points this season, but lately they haven't needed to. Cornell, which has allowed just two runs in its past three games, faces a difficult task in breaking through the Crimson's fortress.
Offensively, they will look to senior forward Gabriel Seager for All-ECAC First Team honors. Rounding out Cornell's ECAC regular season awards was sophomore forward Dalton Bancroft, who earned a spot on the third team with his excellent slap shot and 11 goals.
The Reds will be getting their first taste of ECAC playoff play for their prolific freshman class. It is also one of the biggest stages.
“You can feel the energy and excitement. [We’re] I’m ready for the weekend,” Schaefer said.
The stage doesn't seem to be that scary for Robertson.
“It's an exciting feeling for all of us [freshmen]. It’s like we’re all in this together,” Robertson said. “I think it's really exciting to be able to go through that together and have it be Harvard in our first year, and I think we all know what's at stake. think.”
Raina will be thrilled. Tickets for this weekend's quarterfinals reportedly sold out the day Harvard was announced as the opponent.
Discipline will be a key theme in Friday's game.
It's not just the players on the ice.
“For our fans, I hope [that] If they're going to throw a fish [on the ice], throw it into the introduction. The stakes are so high now that you can’t throw fish on the ice during regulatory hours,” Schaefer said. “So, everyone has a job to do. The players have to do their job, the fans have to do their job. Be as disciplined as our team is. please.”
Cornell University will face Harvard University in Game 1 of the ECAC quarterfinals on Friday at Lina Rink.Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m.
