The rivalry known as the Route 11 Rivalry pits two small universities in upstate New York against each other on the ice, a contest that has drawn fervent crowds since the early 20th century.
It all began on a crisp winter night in 1926 when Clarkson’s varsity squad edged out St. Lawrence in their first varsity meeting, setting the tone for a competition that would stretch nearly a century.
Since that inaugural clash, Clarkson has built a formidable edge, compiling a record of 136 wins, 78 losses and 12 ties against the Saints, a testament to the Engineers’ long‑standing reputation as one of college hockey’s premier small‑school programs.
St. Lawrence, meanwhile, has carved its own legacy, reaching the NCAA championship game twice and suffering a 12‑2 defeat to Denver in 1961, moments that still echo in the campus taverns where alumni reminisce.
Home‑ice advantage has played a decisive role, with the Saints winning roughly two dozen more games on their own rink than they have on the road, a factor that fuels the intensity of each matchup.
The 1999 ECAC Championship: A Defining Moment
The apex of the rivalry arrived in 1999 when the two teams met in the ECAC championship final, a game that swung back and forth until Clarkson secured a dramatic victory, cementing the Engineers’ status as a powerhouse in the league.
Mark Morris, who had coached both programs, became a focal point of controversy when he was dismissed from Clarkson after an altercation with a player and later from St. Lawrence for violating NCAA regulations, a saga that added a human dimension to the rivalry’s narrative.
In recent years both schools have experienced a downturn, with Clarkson finishing 34th and St. Lawrence 61st in the NCAA rankings, yet the anticipation remains high, as tickets for the latest January showdown sold out in just 34 minutes, underscoring the enduring appeal of the Route 11 Rivalry.