Game Highlights
Postgame Press Conference

ITHACA, N.Y. – At the start of tonight's men's ice hockey exhibition between the Big Red and the Russian Red Stars, the squads' captains exchanged gifts at center ice, but that is where Cornell's hospitality ended as the home team scored three first period goals en-route to a 6-0 victory at Lynah Rink.

Matt Buckles scored twice and tallied an assist, while Cole Bardreau finished with three helpers. Joel Lowry (one goal, two assists) and Brian Ferlin (one goal, one assist) were the Big Red's other multipoint scorers. Jeff Kubiak and Ithaca native Craig Esposito each scored, with Esposito's first career goal coming on a power play.

In goal, Mitch Gillam earned the win with 19 saves over a span of 55:07, before Ryan Coon saw the first playing time of his career with three stops in 4:53 of action.

Red Stars goalie Vacheslav Volkov was solid with 35 save over two periods before Arthur Khaniarova posted 11 saves in the third.

Cornell wasted little time getting on the scoreboard, as Ferlin converted just 1:27 into the contest with the assist credited to Christian Hilbrich. It took over 15 minutes for the Big Red to strike again, but Buckles and Kubiak each scored within a two minute span to send Cornell into the first break with a 3-0 lead.

Buckles scored again at the 8:32 mark of the second period and Esposito and Lowry capped the scoring with goals in the final five minutes of the stanza.

The game got a little more physical in the third period, with the Big Red sent to the box three times, which included giving the Red Stars a 5-on-3 opportunity, but the visitors were not able to figure out Gillam.

Cornell is back in action on Friday, Jan. 10 when it welcomes UMass to Lynah Rink at 7 p.m.