Going into this weekend on a three game skid, the Big Green are looking to rebound as they return to the friendly confines of Rupert C. Thompson Arena to host Clarkson tonight and St. Lawrence on Saturday.
Spirits are high as Dartmouth looks to turn things around and prove that their fast start to the season wasn't a fluke.
Coming off losses at Yale and Princeton last week, the emphasis all week in practice has been playing sixty minutes of solid hockey.
"The focus all week has been getting the guys to play intense, smart hockey," said Coach Roger Demment, pausing for a moment before adding "...with the emphasis on smart."
Against Yale, Dartmouth got down early as Jason Wong '00 had a rare off night, and the Big Green were forced to battle back from a four goal deficit. Saturday at Hobie Baker Rink, the Big Green's usual intensity was back, but mental lapses in the third period allowed the Tigers to snag the win.
Big crowds at Thompson have a tendency to increase the Big Green's intensity level and intimidate visiting opponents. Dartmouth would like nothing more than to pick up four crucial ECAC points this weekend in very winnable games, and start climbing back up the ladder to ECAC respectability.
Clarkson on a hot streak
The Golden Knights are riding into Hanover on a high horse that Dartmouth would love to knock the legs out from underneath. Having won four of their last five, including victories over UNH and Cornell, the Knights are indeed looking golden.
Clarkson is anchored by two stellar senior forwards, Jean-Francois Houle and Todd White, who are averaging 1.53 and 2.05 points per game respectively. Shutting down the Clarkson attack before it gets in front of the net will be Dartmouth's first priority tonight.
"We've got to come out with a lot of intensity, and really have a total team effort on defense to be successful," Demment said. "Their front line is a real threat, and they've got some very good hockey players."
St. Lawrence on a losing trail
The Saints come marching in a little out of step, finding themselves in the midst of a three-game losing streak that the Big Green hope to extend.
Dartmouth has faced St. Lawrence once already, dropping the game to the Saints in the final of the Auld Lang Syne tournament.
"This is a team we've seen, and a team we are confident we can beat," Demment said. "If we can get back to playing the type of hockey we were displaying at the end of November, we should have some success."
St. Lawrence has shown some suspect goaltending, with their number one goalie giving up an unimpressive 4.11 goals per game. Dartmouth will look to get in an offensive rhythm early, get the crowd into the game and hopes to make Eric Heffler wish he had stayed behind in upstate New York.
Focus on special teams
Dartmouth needs to improve its special teams play this weekend, an area that they have been struggling in as of late.
Last weekend, Yale was three for seven on the power play, and against Princeton the Big Green power play couldn't pack any punch.
Clarkson's power play is especially dangerous, and the Big Green don't want to give them anything too easily. The Big Green would also like to capitalize on St. Lawrence's somewhat weak penalty kill units that have surrendered goals one out of every four times
Coach Demment closed this week's interview on a very positive note, adding that the Big Green are ready to bounce back.
"We're a very good hockey team that's going through a little slide at the moment," Demment said. "We're just looking to get back on track, and start winning hockey games and I think that's going to happen this weekend."
