After consecutive heartbreaking conference losses away from home, the Princeton Tigers (3–2 overall, 0–2 ECAC) looked to bounce back at Hobey Baker Rink on Saturday. Matched up against the Stonehill Skyhawks (1–11), a win would cement Princeton’s first 3–0 start to a season at their home rink since 1979, and the Tigers did just that. Although the Skyhawks proved to be up to the challenge, Princeton took advantage of their opportunities in front of the goal for the win.
“It was huge for us to get back to staying focused on our details for sixty minutes, knowing that if we do so, we have a great chance to win a hockey game,” Men’s Ice Hockey Head Coach Ben Syer told The Daily Princetonian after the game. “Coming out of last weekend, we knew we had more to give in terms of a complete effort … that’s what this time of year is about, growing and learning as a group.”
Although the first few minutes of the contest were scoreless, Princeton came out firing, attempting to make an early statement. The Tigers had seven of the first eight shots, putting the Stonehill goaltender under pressure.
It didn’t take long before sophomore forward Julian Facchinelli stole the puck, stick handling past the neutral zone and deep into Stonehill territory, where he fired an unassisted shot that reached the back of the net. This was Facchinelli’s first career goal and came at an opportune time for the Tigers, who were under pressure in the minutes prior to taking the lead.
While Hobey Baker Rink was still simmering down after raucous cheers for Princeton’s opening goal, the Skyhawks answered. Stonehill won the ensuing faceoff and delivered a strike past junior goaltender Conor Callaghan into the top left corner of the net. Just 24 seconds after the Tigers’ goal, the score was back level at 1–1.
“[Stonehill’s] record is deceiving, playing as an independent requires taking on a tough schedule,” said Syer.
The remainder of the first period saw scoring opportunities for both sides, as Princeton and Stonehill each had threatening moments. But the two squads remained scoreless and went into the first intermission in a deadlock. Neither team had a power play. While senior forward Kevin Anderson was flagged for high-sticking alongside a Skyhawk player, the penalties offset, and thus neither team held a numerical advantage on the ice.
To start the second period, Stonehill pressed hard on the gas pedal. As the first five shots of the period came in a one-minute span, the Skyhawks forced three saves from Callaghan, who was making his second start of the season. The Tigers resisted Stonehill’s pressure and responded.
Senior forward Brendan Gorman entered the scoresheet for the Tigers, as he got control of a loose puck and scored on a wrap-around attempt through traffic in front of the goal. The goal, assisted by senior defenseman Tyler Rubin and first-year forward Malcolm Green, put the Tigers back up just under three minutes into the second period at 2–1.
For the remainder of the period and with both teams at full strength, the two goaltenders were challenged to make saves but were never truly threatened. With two minutes until the second intermission, sophomore forward Luc Pelletier made up for his trip to the penalty box with a mid-range wrist shot that powered past the Skyhawk defense. Assisted by sophomore forward Jake Manfre and by Gorman, who scored earlier in the period, Princeton was now up 3–1 and looked to see out the victory.
“[The] experience Stonehill had gained, coupled with how well-coached they are, had us very focused on the task at hand and doing as much as possible to dictate the flow of the game,” said Syer. “It was a great crowd at Baker Rink, we fed off their energy as we have all season so far.”
While the Orange and Black went into the locker room with a two-goal lead and momentum, the Stonehill squad had other plans. Not even two minutes into the third period, the Skyhawks scored on a rebound and cut the Princeton lead to just one at 3–2.
Gorman was penalized for tripping and left the Tigers with four men on the ice. However, just nine seconds later, Stonehill received a penalty of their own for slashing resulting in a four-on-four play for 1:50.
While neither team was able to capitalize with four players apiece on the ice, the pressure began mounting for Princeton and Callaghan in goal. Over the span of the last eight minutes of play, Stonehill won over 70 percent of the faceoffs and outshot the Tigers 14–2. Princeton, hanging on by a thread, needed to play perfect defense in front of the goal, and they did just that. The Tigers formed a brick wall, with Callaghan saving five shots and the Tigers blocking another six in the dying minutes.
With 11 seconds to go and an empty net for Stonehill, Callaghan made a critical reflex save on a one-timer destined for the back of the net. Princeton’s clutch defense ultimately delivered a critical, nailbiting 3–2 win on Saturday.
“It was important that we closed out a tight game, especially after two one-goal losses last weekend,” said Syer. “It wasn’t the prettiest end of a game, but we had some key plays from our forwards who blocked shots in the final minute, and Conor Callaghan made a tremendous save in the final seconds with the game on the line.”
The schedule doesn’t get any easier for the Tigers moving forward, as they’ll host two conference opponents in just as many days later this week. Princeton is set to face off against St. Lawrence (2–9–1, 1–3 ECAC) on Friday and Clarkson (4–8, 1–3 ECAC) on Saturday, as the Tigers vie to regain an even record in conference play.
Lucas Nor is a staff Sports writer for the ‘Prince.’
Please send any corrections to corrections[at]dailyprincetonian.com.
Read More
This Week in History: A Warning for the Eating Clubs before the Res Colleges
Katharine SheaIn the fall of 1956, the University announced plans for a possible drastic change to the Princeton dormitory system. A precursor to the current residential college system, the initial proposal to include dining and social facilities in dormitories arose as a University-run alternative to the Eating Clubs. In the pages of the ‘Prince,’ a writer raised concerns about the effects such a system might have on the University’s social scene.
In the fall of 1956, the University announced plans for a possible drastic change to the Princeton dormitory system. A precursor to the current residential college system, the initial proposal to include dining and social facilities in dormitories arose as a University-run alternative to the Eating Clubs. In the pages of the ‘Prince,’ a writer raised concerns about the effects such a system might have on the University’s social scene.
Women’s basketball falls to undefeated Maryland, 84–68
Andrew KangPrinceton women’s basketball received its first loss against the Maryland Terrapins on Sunday.
Princeton women’s basketball received its first loss against the Maryland Terrapins on Sunday.
Author Rutger Bregman encourages students to rethink success as ‘moral ambition’
Katelynn LeeThe event inaugurated the pilot program of the Princeton chapter for The School for Moral Ambition’s College Network, where students work with New Jersey legislators to impact policy.
The event inaugurated the pilot program of the Princeton chapter for The School for Moral Ambition’s College Network, where students work with New Jersey legislators to impact policy.