The true answer, however, may be simpler. Baker Rink is cold as shit.
“I guess I don’t notice it, eh?” senior goaltender Kristen Young said. “I mean, I’m from Nova Scotia!”
The average temperature of Baker Rink — measured over a two-game homestand last weekend — was 5 degrees centrigrade. The average January high of Nova Scotia — the sparsely populated Canadian province from which more than half of the Tigers’ players hail — is –5 degrees centigrade.
Searches into the Princeton archives indicate that Baker Rink has been quite frigid for most of its existence. This choice is conventionally traced to the decision to change the playing surface from water to ice following the graduation of Hobey Baker ’14.
“Hobey could walk on water,” senior forward Lee Jubinville noted. “For us mere mortals, though, they needed to figure out another way.”
A stroke of fortune occurred on Jan. 15, 1921, when maintenance official Paul Robeser inadvertently turned the thermostat in the building down to 10 degrees during one of the team’s off-weeks.
“We got back, and the entire surface was solid,” former Ivy League Player of the Year Steve Gorman ’23 recalled. “It did wonders for the game. Before that, our record was 0-0-10. Afterwards, we won nine of our first 10.”
The first true game of “ice” hockey was played in Baker Rink on Jan. 21, 1921. The Tigers defeated visiting St. Lawrence school 4-2, with Gorman leading the charge with two goals and an assist.
Though immediately beneficial for Princeton’s team, the change in Baker Rink’s temperature had a detrimental effect on fan attendance.
“It was tough,” Gorman recalled. “We already had to compete with fan favorites like watching squash and crew practice, and it only got tougher after the change. It was colder than a witch’s tit.”
Senior Annie Greenwood, one of the few Americans on Princeton’s roster, shrugged off concerns about the coldness of Baker Rink.
“It’s always been that way,” Greenwood said. “I mean, we play during the winter, so people come in bundled up anyways. And they do sell hot chocolate.”
Hot chocolate vendor Philip Labouisse has enjoyed record profits from his small business. Labouisse would only offer one comment about the temperature in Baker Rink.
“Cold, hard cash, baby,” Labouisse said.
This article is part of The Daily Princetonian's annual joke issue. Don't believe everything you read on the internet.
Read More
No. 7 women’s lacrosse season ends in NCAA quarterfinals against No. 1 UNC
Hayk YengibaryanWith the loss, the career of senior attacker Mackenzie Blake comes to an end. Blake finished her career with a program-best 231 career goals and three first-team All-Ivy selections.
With the loss, the career of senior attacker Mackenzie Blake comes to an end. Blake finished her career with a program-best 231 career goals and three first-team All-Ivy selections.
No. 3 men’s lacrosse season ends in NCAA quarterfinals after 19–18 loss to No. 5 Syracuse
Hayk YengibaryanWith the win, Syracuse advances to the final four for the first time since 2013. For the Tigers, their season ends along with the career of senior standout attacker Coulter Mackesy.
With the win, Syracuse advances to the final four for the first time since 2013. For the Tigers, their season ends along with the career of senior standout attacker Coulter Mackesy.
Preview: No. 3 men’s lacrosse plays No. 5 Syracuse in NCAA quarterfinals
Hayk YengibaryanShould the Tigers beat the Orange, they will advance to the Final Four for the first time since 2022 as they look to win their first national championship since 2001.
Should the Tigers beat the Orange, they will advance to the Final Four for the first time since 2022 as they look to win their first national championship since 2001.