On Saturday at 8:00 p.m., No. 17 Cornell will take on No. 19 Boston University in the exciting Red Hot Hockey rivalry. This matchup is a highlight for both teams and a must-watch for fans.
The Basics:
Current records: Cornell stands at 6-2-0 (5-1-0 ECAC), while Boston University is at 6-7-1 (4-3-1 Hockey East).
- Power play efficiency: Cornell 25.0% (ranked 11th), Boston University 18.6% (35th).
- Penalty kill rates: Cornell 83.3% (16th), Boston University 83.6% (15th).
- Faceoff wins: Cornell 55.1% (3rd), Boston University 48.3% (47th).
- Goals per game: Cornell averages 3.1 (27th), while Boston University scores 3.5 (13th).
- Goals against per game: Cornell concedes 1.4 (2nd), Boston University gives up 3.9 (57th).
- Shots on goal: Cornell 27.0 (45th), Boston University 30.6 (23rd).
- Peminutes: Cornell averages 6.3 (62nd), BU 13.0 (13th).
- Average player age: Cornell 21.5 (54th), BU 20.1 (63rd).
- NHL draft picks: Cornell has 9, and BU has 19.
History of the Rivalry:
This year marks the 100th anniversary of this fierce competition. The teams will vie for the Kelley-Harkness Cup in what is the 10th edition of Red Hot Hockey. Historically, Cornell leads with a record of 27-23-3 against the Terriers. Remarkably, Cornell has triumphed in the last four meetings at Madison Square Garden, including a thrilling comeback win in 2023.
In their most recent faceoff last March, Boston University eliminated Cornell from the NCAA tournament with a close 3-2 overtime victory. The games have been fiercely contested, often decided by just one goal. This intensity adds to the anticipation for Saturday’s matchup.
Key Players:
Top performers in the NCAA:
- Points Leader: Cornell’s Ryan Walsh with 9; BU’s Cole Hutson leads with 18 (14th).
- Goals: Jonathan Castagna and Gio DiGiulian from Cornell have 4; Hutson leads BU with 7 (25th).
- Goaltending: Cornell’s Alexis Cournoyer boasts a .953 save percentage (2nd) and a goals against average of 1.30 (3rd). Conversely, BU’s Mikhail Yegorov sits at .886 and 3.60, respectively.
As seen by these stats, Cornell’s defense and goaltending show significant strength, while BU’s offense is higher-ranked. This rivalry is more than just a game; it represents years of competition and pride. Fans and players alike eagerly anticipate this matchup as a highlight of the college hockey season.
For more details on player statistics and overall performances, check out College Hockey News.
