Both programs have their sights set on upcoming playoff contention.
The men's team (13-8-3, 10-5-2 ECAC) is coming off mixed results in its recent homestand, edging out a tough Cornell squad, 5-4, in overtime, but falling to Colgate University 1-0 in a heated defensive battle.
Though the Big Green has fallen behind in the national polls, Dartmouth is still in fourth place in the ECAC Hockey League standings, and hopes to secure a first-round bye in playoffs.
Dartmouth, however, will face stiff competition down the stretch, squaring off against ninth place Clarkson University and fifth place St. Lawrence University on the road this weekend.
The following week, the men's squad will conclude the 2008-2009 regular season at home with matchups against Quinnipiac University and league powerhouse Princeton. The Big Green fell 6-0 to the Bobcats and defeated the Tigers 4-0 on Jan. 3 and 4, respectively.
Mixed doubleheader results have been common for the Big Green this season, as Dartmouth has not posted a winning streak since last December.
Against Clarkson, the Big Green will look to reestablish its consistency on the ice, tapping into a strong bench that has contributed to Dartmouth's balanced attack.
Although the Big Green has won its past two games against the Golden Knights, Clarkson will try to avoid the season sweep, pulling for an upset at home.
In its second weekend matchup, Dartmouth will try to contain St. Lawrence's late season surge. Having won or tied 14 of its last 19 games, the Saints will look to displace the Big Green as the number-four seed heading into the playoffs.
The Big Green women (16-7-3, 13-4-3 ECAC) will look to solidify their status as one of the top seeds in the league.
Despite dropping to third place in the league standings after last week's action, the Big Green still remains No. 8 in the national polls. Harvard, having won nine straight games, replaced Dartmouth in second place in the ECAC standings.
With postseason matchups fast approaching, the women's team will try to improve its offensive rhythm by seizing the game's tempo from the get-go.
"I think we need to be more consistent and we just need to focus on one shift and one game at a time," Jenna Cunningham '10 explained. "Our main focus right now is taking each step as it comes, which will be beneficial going into the postseason."
Converting shot attempts has been crucial in the Big Green's strategy on the ice, as Dartmouth is 15-1-1 this season when scoring at least three goals in a game.
The Big Green offense, however, has waned down the home stretch, averaging only two goals in the last four contests, a low figure compared to the team's season average of 3.54.
"I think that we just need to keep crashing the net hard and not get down or frustrated," Amanda Trunzo '11 said.
The women's squad will try to jumpstart its attack on the net, as it faces sixth place Clarkson and high-powered St. Lawrence in its last regular matchups of the season.
Trailing St. Lawrence by only two points in league standings, the Big Green will seek to dislodge the number-one team in the ECAC after the weekend action.
"It would be a confidence booster for us, and, being it is senior weekend, we would love to win one for them," Trunzo said, "As far as playoffs go, we need to win both games this weekend to even have a chance at the first-place position."
Trunzo said that the players' mental preparation and readiness will have the most impact on the team's performance.
"How we come into each game will be a huge part in how well we do when it comes to game time," she said. "The confidence we have will set the tempo for the game and will give us that extra jump on our opponents."
Cunningham said the team is very confident going into the postseason.
"From the beginning we have always believed that we have a deep enough team to go far into the postseason," she said.
The men will face off against Clarkson and St. Lawrence on Friday and Saturday on the road, while the women will host the Golden Knights and the Saints at Thompson Arena.
