Princeton Takes One Game Lead on Union

Jake Manfre scored two goals as Princeton University raced out to a four-goal lead en route to a 5-2 win over No. 20 Union College tonight at Hobey Baker Rink. The Tigers now lead the best-of three ECAC Hockey quarterfinal series, one game to none. It was Princeton's first home playoff game since 2018, and fifth consecutive home playoff victory dating back to 2017.

Despite being outshot, 31-24, overall and only winning 32 of 75 total faceoffs. Princeton nevertheless dominated a Union team that had shutout its opposition for over 66 minutes entering the game, and which had also been connecting at nearly 25 percent with a man advantage. The Tigers killed off all six Union power plays on the night, and also limited a Garnet Chargers team that had been averaging over five goals per game since Feb. 1 to just two late scores after the outcome was no longer in doubt.

"They're a tremendous team, with a ton of firepower," said Princeton head coach Ben Syer about Union. "I thought we did a really nice job tonight–but they force you to play honest, and I wasn't comfortable until the final buzzer."

Joshua Karnish opened the scoring for Princeton just over six minutes into the first period, his fourth goal of the season and fourth in as many games. Tyler Rubin and Manfre then scored four minutes apart in the second stanza to put the Tigers up by three, before Manfre notched his second goal of the night and 14th of the season just 23 seconds into the final frame. Princeton captain David Jacobs finished with a game-high two assists.

"It helps to get production from our depth, and they played well," said Syer.

Union's Ethan Benz and Parker Lindauer then sandwiched goals around an empty-net tally by Princeton's Jaxson Ezman over the final five minutes for the final margin.

Princeton goaltender Arthur Smith stopped 29 shots, earning his ninth win of the campaign and the 21st of his college career.

"He was solid, and we needed him to be solid," said Syer.

The Tigers also blocked 20 shots on the night, with Rubin recording a team-high four blocks. 

"We all trust each other," said Smith. "We have lot of seniors on the back end, and when you trust each other to do the job, you do well."

Cameron Korpi had 14 saves on 18 shots for the Garnet Chargers before being relieved early in the third period by Brayden Gillespie (five saves). Union skaters blocked just eight shots in all.

Game Two is Saturday at Baker Rink at 7 p.m. A win would send the Tigers on to the ECAC Hockey semifinals in Lake Placid, while a Union victory would force a deciding Game Three on Sunday at 4 p.m.

"It's a long series, and tomorrow will be a grind," said Syer.

"I think we'll be ready," said Smith. "I don't think we'll carry the win into tomorrow, and we'll approach it the same way." 

ADDENDUM: Manfre continued his scoring streak with another goal, Smith made 32 saves, and Kai Daniells notched a hat trick as Princeton ousted Union with a 5-2 triumph in Game Two. Princeton (17-12-3 overall) moves on to the ECAC semifinals against Cornell, while Union (22-12-3) saw its season come to end.

Princeton Sweeps Visting Alaska Fairbanks

Princeton University men's hockey started off its 2025-26 campaign with a two-step sweep of visiting NCAA independent Alaska Fairbanks at Hobey Baker Memorial Rink this weekend. The Tigers recorded a 5-2 victory on Halloween night, and followed that up the next night by outlasting the Nanooks, 6-3. It was the first meetings between the two schools since 1985, when Alaska won two games in Fairbanks. This weekend's sweep was Princeton's first to start a season at home since 1955-56.

On Friday, Jaxon Ezman scored back-to-back goals early in the third period to break open the game for the Tigers, who also got a goal and 10 faceoff wins from Kai Daniells. Arthur Smith made 20 saves in net for host Princeton, while Lassi Lehti made 29 stops for the Nanooks, who were outshot, 34-22. 

Saturday's game was tied at one entering the final 20 minutes, before the two sides combined for seven goals. Princeton broke open a 3-3 contest with two goals 10 seconds apart in the final four minutes of play, with Jake Manfre scoring twice in that span, including the game-winning goal and an empty-net tally. Smith finished the night with 26 saves, while Brendan Gorman scored two goals and set up another for the Tigers, who also got three points from Ezman. Freshman goaltender Calvin Vachon finished with 31 saves for Alaska, while Nanook captain Chase Dafoe scored two power-play goals and Michael Citara posted three assists. Alaska, despite scoring three power-play goals in four attempts in the rematch, fell to 2-8-0 overall, while Princeton improved to 2-0-0.

Alaska finishes up a five-game road trip on Tuesday at Quinnipiac, while Princeton will visit Ivy League rivals Brown and Yale next weekend to begin ECAC Hockey conference play. 

 

Saints Clip Tigers in ECAC Hockey Shootout

Tyler Cristall scored two goals in regulation, including the game-tying goal with under four minutes remaining, then tallied the only goal in the shootout as St. Lawrence earned an extra point in the standings at ECAC Hockey rival Princeton last night. Officially, the game goes into the NCAA's books as a 4-4 tie.

Princeton fashioned leads of 2-0 and 4-2, with St. Lawrence coming back both times to tie the contest. Jan Olenginski scored from the goal line with 5:30 remaining in regulation to bring the Saints within 4-3, before Cristall connected 85 seconds later to push the contest into overtime, where neither team scored. Jake Manfre had a goal and an assist on the night for the host Tigers before 1,725 on-lookers at Hobey Baker Memorial Rink.

Dominic Basse made 21 saves for the Saints (8-18-2 overall, 4-10-2 ECACH), while stopping all three shots he faced in the shootout. Arthur Smith finished with 21 stops for the Tigers (10-11-2, 5-9-2), who will visit St. Lawrence on Feb. 28 to close out the season series between the two schools. The Tigers remain one point ahead of the Saints in the ECAC Hockey standings.

Princeton Sweeps No. 12 Ohio State

Princeton played the part of rude host over Thanksgiving weekend, sweeping 12th ranked Ohio State this weekend with a pair of 3-1 victories at Hobey Baker Memorial Rink. It was the first time the Tigers had ever defeated the Buckeyes, after dropping the first six NCAA men's hockey meetings all-time dating back to 1971.

On Friday night, Jake Manfre scored two goals for the Tigers, who also received 29 saves in net from Arthur Smith. On Saturday afternoon, Princeton got goals from three different skaters, including a shorthanded marker by Brendan Gorman, as all the scoring occurred in the third period. Smith made 37 stops and was just under seven minutes away from a shutout before Joe Dunlap scored his second of two goals on the weekend for OSU.

Both schools will return to conference play next weekend. Princeton (3-4-1 overall) will host Union and Rensselaer in ECAC Hockey action, while OSU will entertain Penn State (9-4-1) for a pair of Big Ten contests.