Yale Athletics

The Yale men’s ice hockey team (5–11–1, 4–7–1 ECAC) split their homestand this past weekend, falling to a nationally ranked Clarkson (13–7–2, 7–4–0) by three goals on Friday, but then picking up a gutsy come-from-behind win over St. Lawrence (6–15–1, 2–7–1 ECAC) on Saturday. 

Although the Bulldogs struggled to get going in each game, they finished strong in both defeat and victory.

“I really liked the way we played the last 45 minutes of the Clarkson game, it’s tough chasing the game after being down 0-3 after the first period,” head coach Keith Allain told the News. “We started the game poorly and deserved to be down, but our response was outstanding.”

On Friday night, the Elis squared off against the Clarkson University Golden Knights, a squad that came into New Haven with the only unbeaten road record in all of NCAA Division 1 men’s hockey. The Golden Knights stormed out to a quick three-goal lead in the first frame, breaking the game open just thirty-one seconds in.

In the second period, first-year Zach Wagnon ’28, Yale’s season leader in assists, found Julian Frias ’28 below the goal line for a quick stuff play to get the Bulldogs on the board. Seven minutes later, Elan Bar-Lev-Wise ’26 cut Clarkson’s lead to one when he picked up a loose puck in the neutral zone, flew in on a breakaway, and fired it above the Golden Knight tender.

Clarkson quickly responded with two more goals of their own, but first-year talisman Ronan O’Donnell ’28 showed his offensive instincts when he slipped backdoor for a beautiful seam pass from Kieran O’Hearn ’25 to score a third for the Elis. O’Donnell found the back of the net again in the third, but Yale ultimately could not match Clarkson’s seven.                                                         

Despite the loss, the Bulldogs showed once more that their offense can put points on the board against a top team like Clarkson. In fact, Yale even outshot the Golden Knights 33-25 over the three periods, and O’Donnell led all skaters with his six. Currently leading the team in goals and points, O’Donnell has transitioned seamlessly into the D1 game. 

“I’ve definitely been a little bit surprised with the opportunity I’ve had so far,” O’Donnell said to the News. “As a freshman, you never really know what to expect when it comes to playing time or opportunity.”

Allain and the rest of the coaching staff have relied upon O’Donnell in a much different way than Coach Andy Brandt at the Madison Capitols did during O’Donnell’s second year of junior hockey before he started Yale. For Allain, the line of O’Donnell, Wagnon and sophomore Will Richter ’27 has been the most productive all year.

Against St. Lawrence on Saturday night, the Bulldogs let up an early goal again but settled into the game very well. First-year goalie Noah Pak ’28 looked rock solid all night, as he has done in every opportunity he has been given this season. The overall team defense also looked much more solid than the night before, and Pak was quick to credit that for much of his success. 

“I think we found a lot of success defensively because we were making cleaner breakouts, getting back to our zone faster, and getting in our spots, which allowed us to play more offense,” Pak said. “Our penalty kill also came up big for us too.”

With Pak holding steady in net, the Bulldogs entered the third period down only 2-0, and they came out with a vengeance in the final twenty minutes. Iisai Pesonen ’27 scored his first of the season on a snipe from the blueline at the sixteen-minute mark. Just under ten minutes later, Will Dineen ’25 fed a beautiful no-look breakout pass to a streaking Briggs Gammill ’25. Gammill rushed in on the St. Lawrence goalie and buried it past him, leveling the score. 

Since returning from the holiday break, Gammill has been nothing short of outstanding. In the last four games, he has tallied three goals and two assists and has really found his groove. In previous years, he was one of the Bulldogs’ most consistent contributors, but he struggled with unlucky bounces on multiple occasions this campaign. However, even during his early-season offensive lull this year, Gammill still found ways to make a substantial impact. 

“Briggs is a heart and soul type player,” Allain said. “He has been solid for us all season; his commitment, determination and ability to fight through adversity are an inspiration to his teammates, so his contribution to our group goes way beyond what you might see on the scoresheet.”

After Gammill’s tying goal, it was none other than O’Donnell who sealed the victory for Yale as he put away a rebound in the waning moments of the third. 

This weekend, Yale will take part in the fifth annual CT Ice Tournament. Puck drop against tournament host Sacred Heart (14–8–4, 12–6–2) is set for 7 p.m. at Martire Family Arena in Fairfield.