Cornell men’s hockey returns to Madison Square Garden for 2024 Frozen Apple game

The Cornell University men’s hockey team will play at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Nov. 30, taking on the Quinnipiac University Bobcats in the 2024 Frozen Apple event, according to a joint announcement Wednesday.

ITHACA, N.Y. — The Cornell University men’s hockey team will play at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Nov. 30, taking on the Quinnipiac University Bobcats in the 2024 Frozen Apple event, according to a joint announcement Wednesday.

The game will begin at 8 p.m. and broadcast on ESPN+. Tickets are available Aug. 1 at noon through bigredtix.com.

Quinnipiac is a perennial college hockey contender, ending last season with a loss to Boston College in their regional final of the NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey Tournament. Cornell lost in the NCAA tournament’s Springfield Regional Final to the University of Denver.

Cornell won its last game at the historic Madison Square Garden in 2022, defeating the University of Connecticut 6-0 in that year’s Frozen Apple event. Cornell is 4-1 in the Frozen Apple event, which has been held every two years since 2012.

“Over the years, we’ve tried to bring quality opponents [to the Frozen Apple event],” said men’s team head coach Mike Schafer. “This year with Quinnipiac, obviously a rival in ECAC Hockey but also being a nationally recognized name across the country as far as their success is concerned, we hope they bring a lot of fans and alumni to Madison Square Garden to make it a tremendous environment once again.”

Cornell Athletic Director Dr. Nicki Moore said she was excited for the event and noted that it will be Schafer’s last MSG game as head coach of the Big Red. Schafer announced in June that the upcoming season would be his last leading the team after 33 years with the school.

“I am eager to see two of the top programs in ECAC Hockey face each other at such a historic venue as they continue their longstanding rivalry,” Moore said. “For Mike Schafer, it will be his final trip to the Garden as head coach, and as a driving force behind the annual Thanksgiving series, I know Cornell fans all around the world will cherish the opportunity to celebrate him in person.”

Cornell’s season kicks off against Yale University on Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. at Lynah Rink in Ithaca. The rest of the Big Red’s nonconference schedule will be announced Friday, Aug. 2 at 10 a.m.