So much for a concern over a lack of offense. The Big Green opened their season with a three-goal victory over the Niagara Purple Eagles, and provided eight examples (from seven different players) of this Dartmouth team's balanced and consistent attack.
Dartmouth (1-0-0) came out strong against a quality Niagara team playing in its seventh regular season game handing the Purple Eagles an 8-5 loss (their fourth of the year), something national powerhouses Ohio State and Michigan failed to do.
Dartmouth came out firing and lit the lamp first just 7:54 into the game. With five freshmen starting on the first two lines, it was only fitting that Dan Casella '02 notched his first career goal and Dartmouth's first of the season off assists from Mike Maturo '02 and blueliner Dory Tisdale '01.
Niagara's goalie, Greg Gardner, shut down the Big Green offense, however, not allowing another Big Green goal in the first period. At the other end of the ice, Dartmouth goalie Eric Almon '00 found himself facing a hard-charging Niagara offense that converted three unanswered goals (two off the power-play), giving Niagara a 3-1 lead going into the second period.
Assistant captain Ryan Chaytors '99 quickly put the Big Green right back into the game just :39 seconds into the second, as he wristed a rebound over the fallen Gardner. Frank Nardella '02 and Curtis Wilgosh '99 answered with goals of their own to give Dartmouth a one-goal advantage. The game had the makings of a shootout when Niagara answered with two-goals of its own, one against Almon and one against his back-up, Rob Delwo '02.
"Eric's a quality goalie, and those four goals [on 12 shots] were not his fault," offered Dartmouth Head Coach Bob Gaudet '81. "The decision to go with Rob was just one of those things you must do as a coach to give the team a momentum shift."
Delwo proved to be the shot-in-the-arm the Big Green needed. After giving up the go-ahead goal to Niagara, Delwo stepped up his play and fended off a breakaway flurry at the end of the period that clearly had the team and Thompson Arena fired up.
"[Delwo's] saves were huge for us," David Risk '99 said. "They provided that boost that carried us into the third period."
Dartmouth controlled the third period by delivering big hits, playing tight defense, and opening the flood gates on Gardner, who looked like a different player compared to his first period form. Wilgosh's second goal of the afternoon just 25 seconds into the period proved to be the game-winner.
After that, the Big Green's superior team speed took over, as freshmen Jamie Herrington and Chris Taliercio chipped in their first career Dartmouth goals.
On Friday night, in exhibition action, Dartmouth fell to older and more experienced Acadia University, 3-1.The game did not count in the Big Green's overall standings, but served as good preparation for the opener the following day.
"We just had a great team effort against Niagara," Gaudet said. "Curtis and Ryan [Chaytors] came out and led by example. We got solid play out of the blue line, as Dave Risk played like a real leader, and Scott Peach '99 played a solid game."
"The first year guys also provided a solid effort, which is really what we need. One game doesn't make a career, but they showed excellent skill level and added to great team chemistry," Gaudet added.
With all four lines contributing goals, the Big Green will look to maintain this consistent scoring mix as they open ECAC action at home this weekend against RPI on Friday night and Union on Saturday night.
Coach Gaudet emphasized what an advantage a huge home crowd is. "This is going to be a fun team to come and see play," Gaudet said. "We're young and we'll have our ups and downs, but we'll play with intensity every time out."