The Tigers are moving on.
Coming off of a dominant win the night before, Princeton men’s ice hockey (16–12–3 overall, 11–9–2 ECAC) defeated the Union Chargers (22–11–3, 11–9–2) by a score of 5–2 to sweep the quarterfinals series and earn the Tigers a spot in the ECAC semifinals next week.
The ECAC semifinals and championship are hosted in Lake Placid, and Princeton is returning to the venue for the first time since 2018.
“I’m so happy for these seniors especially,” head coach Ben Syer told The Daily Princetonian postgame. “They’ve bought in since day one and set the tone every day. For these guys to have this experience is special, and we’re excited for the opportunity.”
Although Friday night’s 5–2 win mirrored the score of Saturday’s, the matchups looked very different from each other. Unlike in the first game, where Princeton was able to build an unanswered early lead, Princeton’s second game opening goal from junior forward Kai Daniells was relatively short-lived. Nine minutes later in the opening period, the Chargers responded with a power play goal to even the score at 1–1.
The Tigers brought the game back to even strength, and closed out the first period with an offensive flurry that signaled a momentum shift. At the first break, the game remained tied at one goal apiece.
Princeton opened the second period bearing another penalty. However, the Tigers soon successfully killed the advantage despite several quality opportunities produced by the Chargers. Soon after, the Tigers earned a power play of their own, highlighted by a quick shot from the left wing by senior forward David Jacobs that ran wide. Union handled Princeton’s man advantage, preventing the Tigers from regaining the lead.
The Orange and Black earned yet another power play soon after, caused by a boarding call on the Chargers. In an unprecedented turn of events, however, it was not Princeton who capitalized during these two minutes. Despite a near miss from Daniells that ricocheted off the goal frame, Union stifled the Tigers in their offensive third, driving down the ice and catching Princeton out of position. Exchanging several lateral passess across the ice, the Chargers weaved through the Princeton defenders, allowing Union forward Parker Lindauer to slick the puck into the back of the net. The goal gave the Chargers their first lead of the series at 2–1, with 11 minutes remaining in the second period.
Neither Union nor Princeton lead the ECAC in shorthanded goals, though the score marked Lindauer’s second shorthanded goal of the season, accounting for half of his team’s successes. This season, the Tigers have collectively scored three shorthanded goals.
The rest of the second period yielded shot attempts from both sides, but nobody was able to tally another point on the board. Heading into the final break, Princeton trailed by one.
“Even entering the third period, we were confident that this group had a rally in it,” Syer told the ‘Prince.’ “In a three game series, you don’t change your strategy too much; it’s a culmination of everything you do all season. You trust that the work pays off and everyone believes.”
Despite Union’s lead, the Tigers were not aiming to extend the series.
To open the third period, Princeton turned the tide. After two early Charger shot attempts saved by junior goalie Arthur Smith, Princeton kept the puck out of their end of the ice. A Union penalty for tripping gave Princeton a man advantage, and just a minute later the Chargers were plagued with another violation for roughing. With the golden opportunity of a two-man advantage, the Tigers harvested the energy circulating at Hobey Baker Rink.
The Tigers launched two shots that fell just short of capitalizing on the advantage, but these were shortly followed by senior forward Jaxson Ezman finding the top left corner of the net to tie the game for Princeton.
From here, the Orange and Black did not look back. Mere minutes after Ezman’s equalizer, Princeton got back to work with senior defenseman Nick Marciano cutting off a Charger pass in the central ice. He flicked the puck to Jacobs, who found a cutting Daniells to cap off the play with a shot too quick to give the Union defense an opportunity to challenge. Princeton now reclaimed the lead at 3–2.
The game-winning goal was Daniells’ second of the game. His Saturday night performance emphatically concluded his scoring dryspell of one goal over the Tigers’ last eight games, an uncharacteristic quietness.
“When Kai is feeling it, it’s fun to watch,” Syer told the ‘Prince.’ “His whole line was on fire all weekend, and he scored some huge goals for us, partnering up with David Jacobs.”
Union looked to equalize the match in the latter half of the final quarter, but was continuously stifled by the Tiger defense. With two minutes left in the game, the Chargers emptied their net in an attempt to gain an offensive advantage. Princeton quickly took advantage, with both sophomore forward Jake Manfre and Daniells scoring empty-net goals and sealing the Tiger win.
As the final buzzer echoed throughout the rink, it was Princeton who ruled the ice with a 5–2 victory.
The Tigers will play in the ECAC Tournament semifinals next Friday in Lake Placid, with their opponent to be decided as the rest of the quarterfinal series plays out.
“We’ve been building all year to keep improving and grow as a team,” Syer concluded. “Our mindset is to have our next game be our best game of the year. The ECAC Championship weekend is a grind, but we embrace the grind. Having more time together is special, and we are fired up to make this trip.”
Lily Pampolina is a head Sports editor for the ‘Prince.’
Please send any corrections to corrections[at]dailyprincetonian.com.
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