Dartmouth came out of the gates hot against Clarkson (15-14-6, 9-8-4 ECAC), posting four goals while shutting the Clarkson offense down in the first period. Matt Lindblad '14, Eric Neiley '15, Tyler Sikura '15 and Brandon McNally '15 each netted goals in the stanza.
"We started off really well," Connor Goggin '12 said. "Everyone was ready to go, excited and felt fresh. Our team came out hard and fast, and we got up pretty early there, and after that we just cruised."
The Big Green's offense cooled off in the second, and two goals by Clarkson put it back within striking distance heading into the third period. A power play goal by Goggin midway through the third seemed to put the game away with Dartmouth holding a 5-2 lead, but two back-to-back goals in under a minute brought Clarkson within one.
"[The game] got a little iffy in the third period, but we got things under control for a good, solid win," Goggin said.
James Mello '12 tightened up his goalie play after allowing the fourth goal, saving some close attempts by Clarkson late in the third. Brandon McNally '15 sealed the Dartmouth victory with an empty net goal in the final minute of play.
Dartmouth entered the weekend trying to solidify a first-round home game in the ECAC tournament next weekend. After the win against Clarkson and a St. Lawrence University (14-17-3, 10-11-1 ECAC) loss on Friday, the Big Green could have locked up the eighth seed with a win on Saturday. Instead, a loss sends Dartmouth to Canton, N.Y. for a rematch against St. Lawrence in next week's first-round tournament play.
"We were trying to win home ice advantage, but we didn't get it," Goggin said. "We feel pretty good about being able to beat them next week though."
Two early goals by St. Lawrence set the tone for the game, as the Saints took a 2-0 lead in the first period. Dartmouth answered with a power play goal by McNally in the second period, but that goal was all the Big Green could muster. An empty net goal with 10 seconds remaining sealed the game for St. Lawrence.
Dartmouth struggled to convert opportunities on Saturday, but Goggin noted that he is confident that the team will be fine when the teams match up again next weekend in the playoffs.
"We felt like we played pretty well, but we just didn't capitalize on our chances," he said. "But they're a pretty solid team, their first line is pretty dangerous and they were really nifty and good with the puck."
Saturday was senior night for the Big Green, and the loss ensured that it was the last game at Thompson Arena for the seniors.
"[Saturday's game] was my last game at Thompson Arena, which I'm not ready for," he said. "You get so jacked up for the games that you don't even think about how it might be the last one."
While Dartmouth does not play another game at Thompson this season, the Big Green players hope to make a deep run in postseason play.
"Everyone's really excited," Goggin said. "We're a little banged up, but we're confident with the people we have that we'll definitely be able to make a run in the playoffs."
Goggin noted that the youth of the team has contributed to some of its inconsistency during the season, but with a full season under the Big Green's belt, he said he believes the young players will be affected by the pressure come playoff time.
"This year we have a lot of young players who have been learning the ropes throughout the season," he said. "We've had some ups and downs, but I think the adversity will help us come playoff time."
