RUING THE DAY: Princeton University men’s hockey player Tyler Rubin, left, goes after the puck in a game last season. Last Friday, sophomore defenseman Rubin and the Tigers fell 1-0 at Harvard in a single-elimination ECAC Hockey playoff opening round contest. The defeat left the Tigers with a final overall record of 10-16-4. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

In late December, the Princeton University men’s hockey team defeated visiting Harvard 5-2, making the most out of its opportunities as it outshot the Crimson 31-30.

Last Friday when the rivals met in a ECAC Hockey single-elimination first round playoff contest in Cambridge, Mass., Princeton built a 38-16 edge in shots and won 31 of 53 face-offs.

But the ninth-seeded Tigers were unable to cash in their chances in the postseason rematch against eighth-seeded Harvard, falling 1-0 as Crimson goalie Aku Koskenvuo produced a career game with 38 saves.

“We played a great game, we just ran into a hot goaltender,” said Princeton head coach Ron Fogarty, whose team ended the winter with an overall record of 10-16-4. “We carried play throughout the entire game — we kept pressing. We played really well, we just couldn’t solve the goaltender. It is tough with the one game and done. You run into a hot goaltender and that can be the turning point, and it was unfortunately.”

The Tigers were not fazed by an unfortunate sequence in the first period that saw Harvard score a goal with 6:42 left in the frame and the Tigers fail to convert a penalty shot five minutes later.

“It was just continue what we were doing – we were playing really well,” said Fogarty, reflecting on his squad’s response. “We played a complete game in all areas. It was a calm dressing room at the intermission, the bench was positive. They battled all the way to the end.”

While the loss stung, Fogarty had no qualms with the effort he got from his players.

“The guys were in shock, they were upset because we did everything we had to do to win the game,” said Fogarty. “The basic message was that I was very proud that everyone who put the jersey on displayed that jersey in a first class, positive way.”

In assessing the season overall, Fogarty credited the Tigers with displaying resilience as they dealt with the ups and downs.

“It had ebbs and flows, we hit a tough stretch in the middle and we made some adjustments,” said Fogarty. “I liked how we were playing down the stretch — we got some crucial points to put us back in the middle of the pack. I really liked how the team persevered throughout the year.”

Individually, the Tigers players made progress through the year.

“Thirteen out of the 17 returning skaters hit career highs, that is a big part when you look at development,” said Fogarty. “It is unfortunate that we have a series of guys who played just three years for us due to the effect of COVID. I really like how our team came together as a group.”

The squad’s senior corps of Nick Carabin, Joe Berg, Mike Kennedy, Mackenzie Merriman, Adam Robbins, Nick Seitz, and Ian Murphy played a key role in bringing the group together.

“We are going to miss the seven seniors, they did a great job for us leading,” said Fogarty. “They did a tremendous job bringing the three underclassman groups together quickly in the preseason. They jelled the team quickly in the dressing room. We are going to miss their leadership and their professionalism.”

The Tigers have a good foundation in place going forward. Princeton returns six of its top 10 scorers in sophomore Brendan Gorman (7 goals, 17 assists), sophomore David Jacobs (7 goals, 17 assists), junior Jack Cronin (11 goals, 8 assists), freshman Kai Daniells (8 goals, 11 assists), junior Noah de la Durantaye (3 goals, 15 assists), and sophomore Tyler Rubin (4 goals, 9 assists) along with all three goalies — freshman Arthur Smith, freshman Conor Callaghan, and junior Ethan Pearson.

“I love it, we just have to continue where we left off,” said Fogarty of his group of returners. “They were playing really well, I liked how our systems were going at the end of the year. Every year brings a new feel, a new group. The thing that will be consistent is what we are doing on and off the ice. I really like where our culture is.”