NO JOSHING: Princeton University men’s hockey player Joshua Karnish races up the ice in recent action. Junior forward Karnish starred last weekend as Princeton competed in the ECAC Hockey championships at Lake Placid, N.Y. Karnish scored the game-winning goal as fourth-seeded Tigers edged third-seeded Cornell 3-2 in a semifinal contest last Friday. A day later, Karnish tallied the lone goal for Princeton as it fell 2-1 in overtime to second-seeded Dartmouth in the final. The Tigers ended the season with an 18-13-3 record. (Photo by Frank Jacobs III)
By Bill Alden
Taking the ice at the Herb Brooks Arena in Lake Placid, N.Y., last weekend, the site of the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey “Miracle on Ice,” the Princeton University men’s hockey team was looking to add to the history in the building as it competed in the ECAC Hockey championships.
“There was a ton of excitement, “ said Princeton head coach Ben Syer. “I think there was a little bit of trepidation not knowing 100 percent what to expect for those that had never been there. They have done a really nice job of preserving yet upgrading the 1980 rink. I think that Wednesday, the guys got a taste of it. This is a little different than maybe what they expected. Then from here, they settled in.”
Facing third-seeded Cornell in the ECACH semis, it took a little while for fourth-seeded Princeton to settle in as it fell behind 1-0 in the first period.
“There was probably a little bit of nervousness, but it was we just have to play the game,” said Syer. “Once we got to our game and our identity a little bit, that is when you started to really see our guys enjoy it and have fun with it. That is when we started to turn the tide a little bit.”
The Tigers had some fun in the second period, getting goals from David Jacobs and Julian Facchinelli in a span of 3:57 to take a 2-1 lead. Cornell responded with a goal late in the period to knot the game at 2-2.
Princeton junior forward Joshua Karnish broke the tie with a goal late in the third period that proved to be the margin of victory as the Tigers prevailed 3-2.
The speedy Karnish has come on strong down the stretch for Princeton, scoring four goals in the last five games coming into last weekend.
“He found a way to really bring something to the table here late in the year for us,” said Syer of Karnish. “He just did a great job of using his speed and really in heightening his physicality to go those hard areas. That really paid dividends for him down the stretch which ultimately helped our team a great deal.”
Guiding the Princeton program to the ECACH final for the first time since 2018 was a great moment for second-year head coach Syer.
“When you are in those environments and you see the amount of work your guys have put in, you are elated that your guys are still sticking together and playing together for another night,” said Syer. “As a coach, that is probably what makes you most proud and is the most gratifying.”
Facing second-seeded Dartmouth in the final a day later, the Tigers had to quickly move on from the Cornell triumph.
“On Saturday, you have to flip it around and be like what is different here tonight,” said Syer. “What are the keys that are different and what do we need to focus in on.”
Although Princeton fell behind the Big Green 1-0 in the first period, Syer wasn’t overly concerned.
“We probably didn’t have out best first period against Dartmouth but I didn’t not like it,” said Syer. “We outshot them, we were in the ballgame. It is a quick turnaround with a lot of emotion in both games.”
Gaining momentum as the game went on, Princeton generated a number of scoring opportunities.
“There were two goal mouth scrambles that really stuck out to me and we need one of those to go bar down,” said Syer. “Somebody has to whack this sucker home. We needed one of those to go. Guys were fired up on on the bench the whole night.”
Once again, Karnish whacked one home as he found the back of the net with 11:14 left in regulation to force overtime.
In the extra session, Princeton generated five shots but Dartmouth ultimately prevailed 2-1 as it scored 11:18 into the period.
“I thought we had some really good looks early on there,” said Syer. “We had some opportunities there, we had some chances to get pucks deep. It was what it was. They hemmed us in but I thought we had our chances before that.”
In his postgame talk, Syer praised his players for showing grit in exceeding expectations this winter as the Tigers went 18-13-3 and finished fourth in the ECACH regular season standings.
“The reality is that we were picked to finish eighth and to be able to compete for the championship, there is a lot of chip and edge and a lot of purpose behind preparation,” said Syer. “I said to the guys whatever you do, particularly the seniors, don’t lose your edge and chip. Don’t lose that purpose in your preparation in whatever you do in life. Live off your passion to fulfill whatever it is you want to do. That was the message at the end.”
In reflecting on the team’s progress this winter, Syer pointed to a heightened sense of purpose on a weekly basis.
“I think probably the biggest area was just the understanding of how hard it is to win,” said Syer. “When I say win, it is not just the outcome of the game but to win momentum and to earn momentum to put your team in a position to win. I do think our guys started to feel that Monday and Tuesday were as important as Wednesdays and Thursdays and even the weekend too.”
Syer credited his nine seniors with setting that tone. “They were awesome,” said Syer, whose senior class was led by captain Jacobs along with assistant captains Brendan Gorman and Kevin Anderson. “They bought in, they competed every day. They were the foundation of our group.”
Looking ahead, Princeton has a good foundation in place. “We are very excited and with the addition of a few new guys coming in, we are really happy,” said Syer. “I think there are some guys that are playing right now that didn’t play as much this year that can fill in and take a jump. We certainly have a lot of work to do.”
Syer is confident that next year’s group will put in the work to build on this season’s success.
“Based on the minimal conversations I have had with the guys already, the answer would be yes,” said Syer. “Hopefully they all feel the same way here and it will be our job to be able to push and prod to get that going.”