Ruining the day: Princeton University men's hockey player Tyler Rubin (left) goes for the puck during a game last season. Last Friday, the sophomore defenseman Rubin and the Tigers lost 1-0 to Harvard in the single-elimination ECAC Hockey Playoffs opener. With this loss, the Tigers' final record was 10 wins, 16 losses, and 4 draws. (Photo courtesy of Frank Wojciechowski)
Written by Bill Alden
In late December, the Princeton University men's hockey team defeated visiting Harvard University, 5-2, and made the most of its opportunities, outscoring Crimson University 31-30.
When the rivals met in an ECAC Hockey single-elimination playoff contest in Cambridge, Mass., last Friday, Princeton had a 38-16 advantage in shots, converting only 53 faceoffs. He won 31 times.
However, the ninth-seeded Tigers were unable to capitalize on their chances in a postseason rematch with eighth-seeded Harvard, with Crimson goaltender Aku Koskenvuo making 38 saves, resulting in a 0-0 loss. I lost by 1.
“We played a great game, we just ran into a goaltender that's hot,” Princeton head coach Ron Fogarty said. The team finished the winter with a total record of 10 wins, 16 losses, and 4 draws. “Throughout the whole game we kept playing and kept pressing. We played really well but couldn't solve the goalkeeper. It's tough to finish in one game. That could have been a turning point, but unfortunately it was.”
The Tigers were unfazed by an unfortunate first-period development in which Harvard scored with 6:42 left in the frame, and five minutes later the Tigers were unable to convert a penalty shot.
“It was just a matter of continuing what we were doing. We were playing really well,” Fogarty said of his team's reaction. “We had a complete game in all areas. It was a calm locker room at intermission and the bench was positive. They fought to the end.”
Although the loss stung, Fogarty had no complaints about his players' efforts.
“The players were shocked and upset because they did everything they had to do to win the game,” Fogerty said. “The basic message was that we were very proud of everyone who wore the jersey for presenting it in a prestigious, positive way.”
Reviewing the season as a whole, Fogerty credited the Tigers for showing resilience as they dealt with ups and downs.
“We had some ups and downs and we hit a tough section in the middle and made some adjustments,” Fogarty said. “We played well in the final stages. We got some important points to put us back in the middle of the pack. I really liked how our team persevered all year long.”
Individually, the Tigers players made progress throughout the year.
“Thirteen of our 17 returning skaters achieved career highs, which is a big part of our growth,” Fogarty said. “It's unfortunate that we have a number of players who only played three years due to COVID-19. I really like the way our team came together as a group.”
The team's senior corps of Nick Carabin, Joe Berg, Mike Kennedy, Mackenzie Merriman, Adam Robbins, Nick Seitz and Ian Murphy played a key role in holding the group together.
“We're going to miss our seven seniors. They've done a great job leading us,” Coach Fogarty said. “They did a great job of quickly uniting three underclassmen groups during the preseason. They inflamed the team right away in the dressing room. We will miss their leadership and professionalism. .”
The Tigers have a good foundation in place for the future. Princeton was led by sophomore Brendan Gorman (7 goals, 17 assists), sophomore David Jacobs (7 goals, 17 assists), junior Jack Cronin (11 goals, 8 assists) and freshman Kai Cronin. They return six of their top 10 scorers in Daniels (8 goals, 11). assists), junior Noah De La Durantaie (3 goals, 15 assists), sophomore Tyler Rubin (4 goals, 9 assists) and all three goaltenders (freshman Arthur Sumi). students, freshman Connor Callahan, and junior Ethan Pearson).
“I love it. We just have to continue where we left off,” Fogarty said of the group of returnees. “They were playing really well and I liked how our system was going at the end of the year. Every year there's a new atmosphere, a new group. What's consistent is that we… It's about what we do on and off the ice. I love where our culture is rooted.”
