Cornell vs Clarkson, 2/28/26

[andyw2100]

Rule 9.4 (Equipment, Helmet and Face mask)

Backup goalkeepers must properly wear a goalkeeper helmet with wire cage to be in the bench area

PENALTY—Warning and bench minor if not corrected.

Yeah I was gonna say, our guys always wear their masks too on the bench.

Yes, but these guys were not "in the bench area." They were behind the glass, near the old locker rooms. They literally did not step on the ice after warm-ups, until they participated in the handshake line. (I took that picture during the review of the Stanley major, which is why the door was open.)

Below is another picture, taken at a different time, to provide more perspective.

A "full-kit wanker" chant would've been funny

Thinking more about it, I wonder if someone on their team may have been pranking them:

"Yeah, guys, even though you'll be off the ice you have to keep your helmets on, or we could get a bench minor. Sorry!"

I think it makes as much sense as anything else. There were literally thousands of people in Lynah much more likely to get hit in the head with a puck than either of them were!

Technically, there is a bench there, right?

Actually I don't think so. It looked like one of them was sitting on a chair (you can see part of it in the first picture) and the other one is standing.

[Weder]

Rule 9.4 (Equipment, Helmet and Face mask)

Backup goalkeepers must properly wear a goalkeeper helmet with wire cage to be in the bench area

PENALTY—Warning and bench minor if not corrected.

Yeah I was gonna say, our guys always wear their masks too on the bench.

Yes, but these guys were not "in the bench area." They were behind the glass, near the old locker rooms. They literally did not step on the ice after warm-ups, until they participated in the handshake line. (I took that picture during the review of the Stanley major, which is why the door was open.)

Below is another picture, taken at a different time, to provide more perspective.

A "full-kit wanker" chant would've been funny

Thinking more about it, I wonder if someone on their team may have been pranking them:

"Yeah, guys, even though you'll be off the ice you have to keep your helmets on, or we could get a bench minor. Sorry!"

I think it makes as much sense as anything else. There were literally thousands of people in Lynah much more likely to get hit in the head with a puck than either of them were!

Technically, there is a bench there, right?

Actually I don't think so. It looked like one of them was sitting on a chair (you can see part of it in the first picture) and the other one is standing.

Huh, maybe they took it out but I thought there was a fold-up bench along those boards. I suppose it would've been easier not to use it for someone in full goalie equipment.

[The Rancor]

They are "on the bench" by extension, and if on the GameDay roster, they must be in full uniform, which includes protective gear, regardless of where 'the bench' physically exists.

[stereax]

Jack O'Brien article by McNally for the Sun.

...Every time she does a deep dive on a player, I end up wanting to run through a WALL for that player.

[arugula]

Yes!  Sounds like a great kid.  Easy to root for the "stars," easier to root for the glue guys like Jack.  Great stuff.  As a parent, some of those stories made me well up.  The wake up call, the long trips, the encouraging him to overcome the fear of skating. 

[Snowball]

Jack O'Brien article by McNally for the Sun.

...Every time she does a deep dive on a player, I end up wanting to run through a WALL for that player.

This is a terrific article by Jane, it really captures something that we fans often miss about how a team becomes good.

I love how the article highlights the role of "practice players" - the guys who may not dress every game but are still essential to the  program. Even when you aren't playing in games, your job is to make the starters better in practice.  That's the hidden engine of a successful team.

O'Brien seems like a tremendous example to the rest of the team about how to approach your role. The story about learning to play forward: instead of sulking about ice time, he leaned into doing what the coaches needed.  And that's why players like him end up being so respected inside a program: and why he becomes a captain.

Reading this piece, it's hard not to think O'Brien will be very successful after Cornell as well. The traits that come through — perseverance, adaptability, humility, and commitment to the group — are exactly the ones that translate beyond hockey. Anyone who can spend years mastering a role, working hard even when the spotlight isn't on him, and helping others succeed is going to do well in whatever comes next.

[ugarte]

Jack O'Brien article by McNally for the Sun.

...Every time she does a deep dive on a player, I end up wanting to run through a WALL for that player.

i did not expect to get to the article and see that jack o'brien's dad is taller in sneakers than jack in skates.

[stereax]

Jack O'Brien article by McNally for the Sun.

...Every time she does a deep dive on a player, I end up wanting to run through a WALL for that player.

i did not expect to get to the article and see that jack o'brien's dad is taller in sneakers than jack in skates.

I vaguely noticed that on senior night but didn't really pay attention to it.

Holy crap.

[scoop85]

Jack O'Brien article by McNally for the Sun.

...Every time she does a deep dive on a player, I end up wanting to run through a WALL for that player.

i did not expect to get to the article and see that jack o'brien's dad is taller in sneakers than jack in skates.

His mother's genes won that battle.

[stereax]

Jack O'Brien article by McNally for the Sun.

...Every time she does a deep dive on a player, I end up wanting to run through a WALL for that player.

i did not expect to get to the article and see that jack o'brien's dad is taller in sneakers than jack in skates.

His mother's genes won that battle.

His mom is like five feet tall 😭 dad won out... mostly.

[pjd8]

Jack O'Brien article by McNally for the Sun.

...Every time she does a deep dive on a player, I end up wanting to run through a WALL for that player.

This is a terrific article by Jane, it really captures something that we fans often miss about how a team becomes good.

I love how the article highlights the role of "practice players" - the guys who may not dress every game but are still essential to the  program. Even when you aren't playing in games, your job is to make the starters better in practice.  That's the hidden engine of a successful team.

O'Brien seems like a tremendous example to the rest of the team about how to approach your role. The story about learning to play forward: instead of sulking about ice time, he leaned into doing what the coaches needed.  And that's why players like him end up being so respected inside a program: and why he becomes a captain.

Reading this piece, it's hard not to think O'Brien will be very successful after Cornell as well. The traits that come through — perseverance, adaptability, humility, and commitment to the group — are exactly the ones that translate beyond hockey. Anyone who can spend years mastering a role, working hard even when the spotlight isn't on him, and helping others succeed is going to do well in whatever comes next.

Agreed. This makes me wonder how, in the new transfer portal/NIL era, this might change for teams. Does NIL money and quick transferring send a message to the O'Briens that they aren't valued as much in the sport? And if so, will they give up faster? Or does it make a coach at a program that is second-tier (in terms of recruiting) value them even more and lean into them harder because that's the strategy that will bring the most success when you can't recruit/keep the big stars?

[ugarte]

Jack O'Brien article by McNally for the Sun.

...Every time she does a deep dive on a player, I end up wanting to run through a WALL for that player.

i did not expect to get to the article and see that jack o'brien's dad is taller in sneakers than jack in skates.

His mother's genes won that battle.

His mom is like five feet tall 😭 dad won out... mostly.

depends on how well his dad can skate

[stereax]

Jack O'Brien article by McNally for the Sun.

...Every time she does a deep dive on a player, I end up wanting to run through a WALL for that player.

This is a terrific article by Jane, it really captures something that we fans often miss about how a team becomes good.

I love how the article highlights the role of "practice players" - the guys who may not dress every game but are still essential to the  program. Even when you aren't playing in games, your job is to make the starters better in practice.  That's the hidden engine of a successful team.

O'Brien seems like a tremendous example to the rest of the team about how to approach your role. The story about learning to play forward: instead of sulking about ice time, he leaned into doing what the coaches needed.  And that's why players like him end up being so respected inside a program: and why he becomes a captain.

Reading this piece, it's hard not to think O'Brien will be very successful after Cornell as well. The traits that come through — perseverance, adaptability, humility, and commitment to the group — are exactly the ones that translate beyond hockey. Anyone who can spend years mastering a role, working hard even when the spotlight isn't on him, and helping others succeed is going to do well in whatever comes next.

Agreed. This makes me wonder how, in the new transfer portal/NIL era, this might change for teams. Does NIL money and quick transferring send a message to the O'Briens that they aren't valued as much in the sport? And if so, will they give up faster? Or does it make a coach at a program that is second-tier (in terms of recruiting) value them even more and lean into them harder because that's the strategy that will bring the most success when you can't recruit/keep the big stars?

I'd like to think it's the latter.