Cornell Sports Information

The Big Red hockey team is introduced before the Nov. 24 game against Boston University at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

NEW YORK -- With about 13,000 rabid Cornell hockey fans helping to sell out New York City's most-famous indoor sports venue Nov. 24, Madison Square Garden became the (Big) Red Sea.

And despite Cornell's 6-3 loss to Boston University, the fans enjoyed turning the venerable Garden into "Lynah East."

Patrick Shanahan/Cornell Sports Information

Cornell's Riley Nash and Boston University's Chris Higgins scramble after the puck.

Patrick Shanahan/Cornell Sports Information

Riley Nash celebrates one of his two goals scored against Boston University Nov. 24.

From Seventh to Eighth Avenues, prior to the game, no fan was far from seeing a Cornell hooded sweatshirt. The pregame pageantry flowed from the Manhattan sidewalks into the Expo Center at Madison Square Garden. Inside, at the pregame pep rally, Cornellians devoured hamburgers and classic Sabrett's vendor-style hot dogs, and enjoyed the boisterous rendition of "Davey" as the Cornell Pep Band marched into the rally.

At the rally, children of alumni painted their faces red and white, rally organizers handed out pompoms and megaphones, and friends renewed acquaintances. Cornell coaches and players from the past, including Ned Harkness, Joe Nieuwendyk '86 and most of the famed, undefeated Cornell 1969-70 NCAA championship team, were on hand.

"Tonight marks the 41st contest between two great teams that have been rivals since the '60s," said Cornell President David Skorton in welcoming the students, alumni and friends at the pep rally. "We haven't played BU as often since they left the ECAC in 1984, but that has only deepened the rivalry when we have an opportunity to compete." Skorton then introduced coach Mike Schafer, who thanked the raucous crowd for its support.

Among the most poignant moments: During the second intermission, Boston alumni Mike Eruzione, Jack O'Callahan and David Silk -- members of the 1980 gold medal-winning USA Olympic hockey team -- received a standing ovation from the crowd, even from the diehard Lynah Faithful. Just like at Lake Placid, the Madison Square Garden crowd spontaneously burst into: "USA! USA! USA!"

As for the game, a three-minute span in the first period turned the contest: The Big Red fell behind 3-0 after a three-goal flurry in the first period. The Big Red (4-4-0) would cut into the lead in the second period on Riley Nash's third goal of the season, but Boston (4-7-2) scored another goal six minutes later to keep Cornell down. In the third period, a Boston goal at 1:17 put the Big Red down 5-1. A two-goal Cornell rally cut the deficit to two.

Boston tacked on an empty-net goal with 23 seconds to play. Cornell went 2-for-7 on the power play, and Cornell goalie Ben Scrivens tied his career high with 36 saves in the contest, including a Cornell-best 15 saves in the second period, as he did his part to keep the Big Red within striking distance. Boston's goalie Brett Bennett picked up 25 saves for the Terriers.

The game marked Cornell's first contest at Madison Square Garden since Jan. 4, 1976. Cornell now falls to 10-5 in games played at Madison Square Garden, including a 5-2 mark in games played in the current building.
 Legendary former coaches Harkness (Cornell) and Jack Kelly (BU) dropped the ceremonial puck prior to the contest. Harkness was escorted onto the ice by former Big Red captain John Hughes.

The Big Red closes out the fall semester at home Friday, Nov. 30, taking on Massachusetts in a 7:30 p.m. contest at Lynah Rink. The later start is to accommodate the Cornell women's hockey team's game against Quinnipiac that same afternoon.