Although they led by one point for most of the match, a tying goal in the third period briefly gave the red team hope. But Cornell faltered late and lost 5-1 to upstate New York rival Colgate University on Friday.
The Raiders (31-6-1 ECAC, 18-4-0 ECAC) won the ECAC tournament the next day, defeating Clarkson 3-0.
Cornell University (24-7-1 ECAC, 17-5-0) may get a chance for revenge as it was placed in the Colgate District for the NCAA Tournament, which begins March 14.
The first game of the ECAC Championship Weekend began in front of 1,135 fans at the 1967 Arena in Hamilton, New York. The game started quickly, and within the first minute of play, freshman goaltender and Ivy League Rookie of the Year Annelise Bergman was called upon to stop the Raider's 2-on-1 rush, which she successfully did. .
The home team, the Raiders, dominated play for most of the first period, totaling 17 shot attempts and 10 shots on goal in the first 20 minutes. The first goal of the game came after sophomore defenseman Alyssa Regalado was called for interference with 3:41 left in the first period.
Just 19 seconds into the power play, Daniel Serdachny's shot went between Bergman's legs to give the Raiders the lead. It was Colgate's NCAA-leading 44th power play goal.
When the horn sounded in the first period, Cornell was trailing 1-0 and effectively trailing. Bergman made nine saves in the opening frame behind Cale Osborne's two saves.
The second period started much like the first, with Colgate looking for a second goal, but Bergman hung on. At 6:51, Serdachny was called for a trip, giving Cornell its first skater advantage of the afternoon.
The power play helped slow Colgate's momentum, but Cornell was unable to convert. The shot difference continued in the second period, with Colgate having 19 shots on goal compared to 10 for the Reds during that period.
The action exploded late in the match. At 5:01 into the frame, Osborne's pass from behind the Raider net was intercepted by freshman forward Karel Prefontaine. The Pack ultimately gave the slot to senior forward and ECAC Player of the Year Izzy Daniel. With Osborne still coming back from behind the goal, most of the goal was open to Daniel, but her shot – Cornell's best scoring chance to that point – hit the left post.
Undeterred, the red team's attack continued and they were rewarded just over a minute after Daniel's mistake. After the Reds forced a turnover on the forecheck, third-year forward Claudia Yu's shot was stopped by Osborne, but during the ensuing scramble for the rebound, the puck was passed to sophomore defenseman Grace.・Dwyer pushed him over the line.
Colgate had the upper hand for most of the game, but Cornell tied the game and took control of the game. Less than a minute after the goal, a Raider skater was called for stumbling, sending the Reds into their second power play of the game.
Unfortunately for the red team, the upset did not happen. After taking the penalty, Colgate resumed its attack. The Raiders recovered an intercepted pass from Bergman and shortly after, Dara Greig's shot found the back of the net to retake the lead.
That goal started a rapid-fire run for Colgate, with the Raiders scoring three goals in five minutes, aided by two Cornell penalties committed by a tired Red defense. A tied game with 13:57 left in the third set quickly turned into a 5-1 Colgate loss and the Reds' ECAC championship hopes were dashed.
Bergman's impressive 39 saves weren't enough as the Raiders defeated the Reds for the third time this season.
However, the Red Army may have a fourth chance. Cornell University has earned an at-large berth in the NCAA Tournament and will return to Hamilton to take on the Stonehill Skyhawks. The winner of this matchup will face Colgate for a spot in the Frozen Four.
Thursday's matchup against Stonehill will take place at 7 p.m. and will be streamed live on ESPN+.
