Kubiak, Buckles Score In Returns To Lineup; Cornell Men’s Hockey Cruises Past Northern Michigan, 5-2
ESTERO, Fla. — Senior defenseman Patrick McCarron had three assists and senior forward Jeff Kubiak celebrated his return to the lineup after a 10-game absence with a goal and an assist in the Cornell men’s hockey team’s 5-2 victory over Northern Michigan in the first game of the Florida College Hockey Classic at Germain Arena. Cornell (8-3-1) advances to Thursday’s championship game, where it will meet the winner of Wednesday’s second first-round game between Colorado College and Merrimack.
Coming off a hiatus of three and a half weeks, the Big Red struck on the game’s first power play — and it came from a familiar name in an unconventional fashion. Cornell’s leading scorer from a season ago, Kubiak scored less than five minutes into just his second game of the season when his centering pass banked off a Northern Michigan defenseman and into the net.
Northern Michigan (4-15-2) equalized with Dominik Shine’s power-play goal less than two minutes later, but junior forward Trevor Yates restored the Big Red’s lead entering the first intermission by zipping a shot over the blocker of Wildcats goalie Atte Tolvanen.
Cornell pulled away in the second period, starting with junior forward Alex Rauter’s goal just 31 seconds into the second period. Senior forward Matt Buckles — also returning to the lineup after missing six games with an injury — then banged home a rebound midway through the frame, marking the third consecutive goal assisted by McCarron. It marks the ninth time in the last 10 games that the Big Red blueliner had at least one point.
Sophomore forward Mitch Vanderlaan capped the Big Red scoring with his team-leading eighth goal early in the third period, assisted by Kubiak. Senior goaltender Mitch Gillam made 18 saves for the victory.
All four games of the 17th annual Florida College Hockey Classic are broadcast on the Ivy League Digital Network.
