Befitting the land-grant university of a sprawling and diverse state, the hockey teams of Cornell University have made rinks resting along the banks of the Hudson nearly as homey as the Red's traditional home nestled in the breast of the Finger Lakes. Hockey teams of Cornell have squared off against opponents in contests in Manhattan for over a century.At least four venues have hosted Cornell hockey contests. Cornell has played in at least 36 games in the nation's largest city. The Big Red has emerged victorious in 19 and settled for a tie but once in all of those contests.
The Future
The Nittany Lions of Penn State are Cornell's second opponent in the Frozen Apple. Having a pedigree rooted more in unequaled ACHA Division 1 success than the traditional dominance of NCAA Division I like Cornell's first Frozen-Apple opponent, Penn State threatens to upset Cornell in both the stands and on the ice. Penn Staters are known for their devoted following of their teams. The Nittany Lions may represent the gravest threat to Cornell's control of its Manhattan territory yet. The Lynah Faithful need to turn out in droves.
Lynah Rink forever will be Cornell hockey's home. Nonetheless, it is appropriate that Cornell's de facto homecoming celebration has centered around the University's best-followed sport in the program's historic home away from home. Whether you are a Cornellian from New York City who travels a short distance, New York State who descends upon the City, or somewhere else entirely who journeys to watch Cornell hockey and reconnect with alumni, the centrality of this event to the University is not overstated. Or, even if you are among the supporters of the opposition who comes to support your fans among the overwhelming legions wearing carnelian and white, we all are part of what makes this weekend of college hockey unparalleled during the regular season.
Cornellians of all origins have traveled to New York City to make it feel as welcoming as Lynah Rink or Beebe Lake before it. Cornell hockey has played in 36 games over a span of 111 years in the city that never sleeps. The Red have an all-time record of 0.556 in the Five Burroughs. This winning percentage climbs to 0.591 when focusing on performances at the current Madison Square Garden. No statistics can capture adequately that it is the encouragement of the Big Red and the harassment of its opponents that the Lynah Faithful dole out which makes Cornell's game in New York City home games away from home.