ONE-TWO PUNCH: Princeton University men’s hockey stars David Jacobs, left, and Kai Daniells working together last Friday as Princeton topped Union 5-2 in the opener of a best-of-three ECAC Hockey quarterfinal series. A night later, senior star forward and captain Jacobs contributed four assists and junior standout Daniells tallied three goals and one assist as Princeton defeated Union 5-2 to sweep the series. The Tigers, now 17-12-3 overall, will face third-seeded Cornell in an ECACH semi in Lake Placid, N.Y. on Friday with the victor advancing to the final on Saturday against the winner of the Dartmouth-Clarkson semi. (Photo by Frank Jacobs III)
By Bill Alden
Although the Princeton University men’s hockey team was trailing Union 2-1 heading into the third period last Saturday in game two of a ECAC Hockey quarterfinal series, David Jacobs and his teammates weren’t fazed.
“We have been there before, it was trust the process, get loud on the bench, celebrate the little things and build momentum that way,” said Princeton senior star forward and captain Jacobs.
With fourth-seeded Princeton leading the best-of-three series 1-0 after winning the opener 5-2 on Friday over the fifth-seeded Garnet Chargers, Jacobs helped turn the third period into a celebration at a raucous Hobey Baker Rink, assisting on three straight goals as the Tigers pulled away to win 5-2 and clinch the series.
Princeton, now 17-12-3 overall, will face third-seeded Cornell in an ECACH semi in Lake Placid, N.Y., on Friday with the victor advancing to the final on Saturday against the winner of the Dartmouth-Clarkson semi.
In helping to spark the outburst, Jacobs assisted on a 5-on-3 goal by Jaxson Ezman that knotted the game at 2-2 early in the third period.
“When you have them, you have to score, so that was huge,” said Jacobs. “There was a big momentum swing for us.”
Minutes later, Jacobs set up Daniells for the go-ahead goal.
“[Nick] Marciano made a great stop, they were kind of on their toes a bit,” said Jacobs. “I saw Kai screaming down the side and he had a great finish.”
As the Tigers pulled away with two empty net goals, they didn’t get ahead of themselves.
“We were just telling each other to stick with it, trust ourselves, trust our structure, and take care of the puck,” said Jacobs. “As for 6-on-5 situations, we have been working on it a ton. It was talk to each other a lot, communicate in the d-zone.”
Jacobs won’t soon forget his Baker Rink finale which culminated with the Princeton players skating around the rink, tapping their sticks on the glass in appreciation of the fans.
“It was awesome, Baker has been such a fun place to play this year,” said Jacobs, reflecting on a season that saw the Tigers go 14-2-1 on home ice. “It meant a lot. We really wanted to get the series done in two games. I couldn’t ask for a better way to go out at Hobey.”
It means a lot for the Tigers to be making it back to Lake Placid for the first time since the 2017-18 season.
“It is really special, it is something that I have wanted my four years here and the senior class as well,” said Jacobs. “I am just proud of the group of guys we have. It is 30 guys that are working every single day. I think we deserve it. We have a great opportunity ahead. It is going to be hard but we love hard.”
The team’s chemistry has helped it deal with hard challenges.
“We all get along really well inside the locker room,” said Jacobs. “We trust each other, we play for each other. We show up and work every single day. We are a coachable group and we are determined.”
Princeton head coach Ben Syer knew that Union would come into Saturday determined to extend its season.
“I have been a part of enough of these series and to get the final out, so to speak, is extremely difficult,” said Syer. “They are a really good team, you saw different stretches of that tonight where they really hemmed us in.”
In his second intermission message, Syer urged his players to stay the course.
“It was to get back to it,” said Syer. “We had more to give and we have to find a way. Nobody is feeling sorry for us. We have to go out and get it done ourselves here right now.”
Cashing in the 5-on-3 opportunity helped the Tigers get it done.
“We had to score, 100 percent,” said Syer. “I think our guys were chasing it a little bit so that really springboarded us.”
The Jacobs/Daniells connection was also a springboard for Princeton as Jacobs contributed four assists on the night while junior standout Daniells tallied three goals and one assist.
“The first goal that they scored, they worked so hard to get above to create it,” said Syer. “They did it the right way. They were on it and they played solidly defensively the whole night. They earned everything they got. They had a couple of other chances they could have buried too. They were awesome.”
The Tiger defense was awesome down the stretch as it held the Garnet Chargers scoreless over the last 28:57 of the contest.
“I thought our guys did a great job, of course it starts with Artie,” said Syer, referring to junior goalie Arthur Smith, who made 32 saves in the win. “I thought our defensemen did a great job of battling right to the bitter end. Our forwards supported our d-corps.”
Despite taking a three-goal lead late in the contest, the Tigers couldn’t let their guard down.
“It is not over until it is over,” said Syer. “I have been in a situation where we gave up three 6-on- 5 goals in under five minutes. I am not old but I am not young; we will go with experienced. There are certain things I don’t forget. I am like we have to stay on it, every detail matters. You have to earn your momentum and fight for your momentum right to the very and bitter end.”
As the season has unfolded, Princeton has built momentum by thriving at Hobey Baker Rink.
“It has been great, the guys enjoy it,” said Syer. “To have the crowd and fan support that we have had this year has been phenomenal. The guys love it from the little guys to the Hobey’s Bakers (a group of fans wearing chef hats). It is awesome, it is fun.”
Syer is looking forward to enjoying some special cuisine as Tigers continue their postseason run by making their first trip to the ECACH semis since 2018.
“I just joke with our guys as long as you are eating bad chicken, you are with the team and it is a great time of the year,” said a grinning Syer.
Impressed by his squad’s resolve, Syer has developed a special bond with the group.
“They just compete, they play for each other; they are a great group of guys, win lose or draw,” said Syer. “I love coming to meet with them every morning. My favorite part is getting up in the morning, even after watching video and not sleeping much to be able to address these guys and to be able to chat with them. They care, they show up, and they get to work. They want to get better. Sometimes the message is friendly and sometimes it is not as friendly and they get after it. So to be able see them rewarded for that is absolutely phenomenal.”
The Tigers will have keep getting after it to come through in the matchup with Cornell (22-9-1), who Princeton split with in regular season action, losing 2-1 to the Big Red on January 16 before topping them 4-2 on February 21.
“We will enjoy this here tonight and turn the page,” said Syer. “Every game just gets harder and harder. That is why you want to be around in these games as you go.”
Jacobs, for his part, believes Princeton will be hard to beat.
“It will a new challenge come Friday,” said Jacobs. “We are going to worry about ourselves here for a bit because when we are playing our best we can beat any team.”