Cornell player Nick DeSantis skates down the ice with the puck with a Harvard defender to the side.

Forward Nick DeSantis ’26 controls the puck against Harvard. (Devin Flores / Cornell University)

A Winning Weekend for Men’s Ice Hockey, in Photos

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With Harvard and Dartmouth falling to the Big Red—and alumni players back for a reunion—it was a glorious two nights in Lynah

By Cornellians staff

For Big Red men's ice hockey, it was a weekend to remember: not only did the team beat two higher-ranked Ivies (including archrival Harvard), but dozens of former players were back on the Hill for the team's annual reunion.

Friday night brought what was arguably the more exciting game of the weekend: a 2-1 win against Dartmouth that went into overtime.

Center Jake Kraft ’27 scored both Big Red goals—the first one during the Big Green's power play in the second period, and the winning goal just 34 seconds into overtime.

Fans in the stands cheering at Lynah Rink.
Ned Dykes, DVM ’74
The student section and Pep Band at the Dartmouth game.

Goalie Alexis Cournoyer ’29 posted 15 saves, including a key one less than a minute before the end of the third period.

"That's probably about as complete a game as we played, start to finish," says head coach Casey Jones ’90. "I thought we had a good identity, we had a good push, we attacked. Pleased with the effort."

That’s probably about as complete a game as we played, start to finish.

Head coach Casey Jones ’90, on Cornell vs. Dartmouth

The victory ended a three-game losing streak for the Big Red, and a five-game regular-season winless streak against Dartmouth. The last time Cornell beat the Big Green in the regular season was on the road in 2023, and the last home win was in 2022.

The following night pitted the Big Red against Harvard, always one of the most hotly anticipated games on the Lynah schedule.

(Yes, there were fish. We're not endorsing it! It's against the rules! But if you're wondering: there were indeed fish.)

Cornell and Dartmouth players stand in a line on opposite sides while the Canadian national anthem plays.
Ned Dykes, DVM ’74
The Big Red and Big Green listen to the Canadian national anthem.

The 4-1 win against the Crimson may have been less pulse-pounding than the night before—but when Cornell plays Harvard on home ice, it's never dull.

Among the scorers on Saturday night was a freshman experiencing his first Harvard home game: forward Aiden Long ’29.

"It definitely didn't disappoint," says Long, a student in the Johnson College of Business. "The energy in the building was awesome, and to come out with the win is huge."

It definitely didn't disappoint. The energy in the building was awesome, and to come out with the win is huge.

Forward Aiden Long ’29, on Cornell vs. Harvard

The game marked the 170th time that the rivals have faced each other; for the record, the Big Red remains in the lead at 85-71-14.

Cornell's current unbeaten streak against the Crimson—six wins and one tie—is the longest since it went 9-0-1 over a three-year period starting in mid-November 1995.

Says Jones of the back-to-back Ivy wins: "Just the physicality, our intensity on pucks, and in terms of managing the game, it was one of our best weekends."

The Big Red supporters in Lynah included dozens of former players attending the annual team reunion.

A line of fans next to the ice clap as fans in the stands cheer behind the glass at Lynah Rink.
Ned Dykes, DVM ’74
Alumni players greet the crowd.

This year, it celebrated the ECAC championship teams of 1986 and 1996.

(The former happens to be the senior season of legendary head coach and Big Red Athletics Hall of Fame member Mike Schafer ’86, who passed the reins to Jones in 2025.)

While the massive snowstorm blanketing much of the country—and dropping some eight inches in Ithaca—disrupted some of the alums' travel plans, those who were able to attend enjoyed a tour of Lynah, a team breakfast at the Statler, and postgame gatherings.

Scroll down for photos from the memorable hockey weekend!

Cornell vs. Dartmouth

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Photos by Ned Dykes, DVM ’74

A Cornell men's hockey player skates down the ice with a Dartmouth defender to his side.
A Cornell hockey player in action shooting a goal against Dartmouth.
Cornell men's hockey players high five each other in a line at the start of the game.
Players crouched for the face-off at the start of the game against Dartmouth.
The Cornell men's hockey team in their uniforms in a group huddle on the ice.

Cornell vs. Harvard

Photos by Devin Flores

Cornell hockey players stand in a line on the ice during the Canadian national anthem.
Fans cheer in the stands and put their hands to the glass wearing Cornell apparel.
The back of the goaltender for Cornell, Alexis Cournoyer, standing in front of the goal.
Hundreds of fans in the stands at Lynah Rink.
Cornell hockey fans and Touchdown in the stands at Lynah Rink.
Cornell hockey player Jake Kraft skates down the ice as Harvards defense surrounds him.
Cornell fans cheer in the stands while wearing Cornell apparel against Harvard in Lynah Rink.

Top: Forward Nick DeSantis ’26 controls the puck against Harvard. (Devin Flores / Cornell University)

Published January 27, 2026

Comments

  1. Dave Wohlhueter
    28 Jan, 2026

    Great Photos. Should be sent to every recruit.

    Reply
  2. Glenna Stou
    28 Jan, 2026

    Congratulations guys , Awesome team work 💜. These photos say it all .

    Reply

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