Patten resigned in 1963 and was replaced by former Rensselaer head coach Ned Harkness . That move was a major turning point in the history of the program . Within two seasons Harkness turned the Big Red into a powerhouse , leading them to a 19 – 7 record , their first of eleven consecutive .700 records . though they lost their first playoff game to Brown they improved to 22 – 5 the next year and reached the ECAC championship game . Cornell received the second eastern bid for finishing as the conference runner-up but because of a disagreement between the NCAA and the Ivy League over postseason participation Cornell declined the invitation
ECAC championship game
1966 ECAC Hockey Men's Ice Hockey Tournament
Cornell Big Red men's ice hockey