On Saturday, men’s ice hockey (18–13–3 overall, 11–9–2 ECAC) lost to No. 9 Dartmouth (23–7–4, 13–5–4) in a tightly contested matchup. Coming off of a semifinal win against Cornell, the Tigers brought the Big Green to overtime, but fell 2–1 with around nine minutes remaining.
“Our group just battled right to the end and fought tooth and nail to an even score,” Head Coach Ben Syer said in a post-game press conference. “There was no quit. And the juice on the bench the entire night was awesome.”
The start of the game foreshadowed the intense and physical play that would last the entire matchup. With both teams having immediate scoring opportunities, Dartmouth was the first to optimize, 12 minutes into the first period. Getting on the board during a power play, Dartmouth took a 1–0 lead that would last most of the game.
The rest of the first period included seven Princeton shots on goal, out-shooting Dartmouth by three. The Tigers, however, were not playing with the coordination they expected for a championship win. No goal came and the Tigers went into the first break still trailing by one.
“I didn’t think we played great in the first period,” Syer told The Daily Princetonian. “I thought we were a little bit nervous. I take a lot of responsibility for that. It’s a quick turnaround for these guys.”
The second period was dry for both teams. Dartmouth had a control of possession and momentum throughout the period with ten shots on goal to Princeton’s four. Junior goalie Arthur Smith had ten saves in the second period, keeping Dartmouth from widening their lead.
The real action came in the third period. Something shifted in the Tigers’ spirit.
“Constant positivity,” junior forward Joshua Karnish said when asked what helped change the momentum. “Everyone up on their feet, just screaming. It starts in the locker room, it starts on the bench.”
Again, leading Dartmouth ten-to-four in shots on goal, the third period really showed the style of hockey the Tigers thrive in. The intense, physical, and high-speed play allowed the Tigers to get on the board, tying the game.
After senior forward Kevin Anderson took a massive hit almost nine minutes into the period, first-year forward Malcolm Green caught the puck and swung to the right side of Dartmouth’s goal. After a snappy pass across the goal to Karnish’s open stick, Karnish fired the puck past Dartmouth’s goalie to even the game.
The remainder of the period showed truly determined play from both teams. Even with back-and-forth possessions and numerous shots on goal, nothing was able to break the tie. The championship game was headed to overtime.
During the intense five-on-five play, the Tigers and the Big Green both had five shots on goal. However, after eleven minutes of play, a Dartmouth forward found the back of the net to end the sudden-death play resulting in a 2–1 defeat for the Tigers.
While the championship loss was a blow for the team, the players highlighted a pride in the team’s success and a love for the game and for each other during post-game interviews.
“These guys show up every single day,” senior forward David Jacobs said when reflecting on the season’s trajectory. “Early mornings, a lot of school work. They put their work boots on and work really hard for each other. It’s a very tight-knit group. That’s been how we’ve found success.”
“Their class really paved the way for us,” Karnish said to the ‘Prince,’ referring to the seniors. “Led us on and off the ice. Pretty much every little detail there is. I will think about that pretty much every day until next year.”
Making it to the championship for the first time since 2018, the experience of competing at the highest level of their league proved immensely rewarding for the team.
“It was a great experience,” Jacobs noted. “I’m really proud of the guys for making it this far. Lake Placid was a goal of ours since freshman year and it was really fun to be up here.”
Syer dedicated the team’s successful arc of a season to the immense teamwork and community of the players. From the 3–1 victory against Clarkson in the North Country, followed by a 2–6 loss the next night to St. Lawrence, the season had countless ups and downs.
Syer also specifically highlighted Jacobs and the dedication he has brought to Princeton hockey for the past four years.
“There’s not a guy that cares more about Princeton hockey than David,” Syer said post-game. “He cares about the guys and he puts the guys and our program’s best interest ahead of his own, and that doesn’t always happen.”
“There are some great guys and real valuable members that are associated with that senior class — I’m extremely grateful to be around those nine guys,” Syer noted while reflecting on the strength of the entire senior hockey class.
The 2025–26 Princeton men’s ice hockey season proved to be one to remember. The Tigers conclude with a 18–13–3 overall record, with nine graduating seniors, and the ECAC runner-up title.
Cadigan Perriello is an assistant Sports editor for the ‘Prince.’
Please send any corrections to corrections[at]dailyprincetonian.com.
Read More
Four graduate students awarded Jacobus Fellowships, discuss research and future plans
David Estrada and Diya KraybillFour graduate students were awarded the 2025-26 Porter Ogden Jacobus Fellowship, the University’s top honor for its graduate students. The fellowship recipients were interviewed by The Daily Princetonian to discuss their research at Princeton and future plans.
Four graduate students were awarded the 2025-26 Porter Ogden Jacobus Fellowship, the University’s top honor for its graduate students. The fellowship recipients were interviewed by The Daily Princetonian to discuss their research at Princeton and future plans.
USG approves budget requests, hears presentation on competitive club access
Andrew ArthurThe USG senate approved a broad package of budget requests and heard a presentation pushing for greater transparency and inclusivity in selective student organizations at its Sunday meeting.
The USG senate approved a broad package of budget requests and heard a presentation pushing for greater transparency and inclusivity in selective student organizations at its Sunday meeting.
Princeton University Art Museum named in TIME Top 100 Places of 2026
Shaun KaraniEarlier in March, TIME Magazine recognized the Princeton University Art Museum in their World’s Greatest Places of 2026 list, naming it as one of the top “Places to Visit” in North America.
Earlier in March, TIME Magazine recognized the Princeton University Art Museum in their World’s Greatest Places of 2026 list, naming it as one of the top “Places to Visit” in North America.