Dartmouth was the ninth seed in the ECAC, while the Saints were the eighth seed. This series marked the first time the Big Green ever won a playoff series on the road and the first time in Saints program history that they have been swept at home. The Big Green have not lost a game in St. Lawrence's Appleton Arena since February of 2009, and extended its winning streak to six games over the weekend.
"Getting the extra day of rest was huge for us, especially against Cornell who has had the whole week to rest," Kyle Schussler '12 said, referring to the fact that all of the other ECAC playoff series were decided in the full three games. Cornell University, the Big Green's next opponent, earned a first-round bye in the ECAC Tournament.
The Big Green utilized an offensive explosion in the third period to gain the 1-0 series advantage on Friday, scoring four goals in the final frame to overcome a shot disadvantage to the Saints. St. Lawrence fired 33 shots against goaltender Jody O'Neill '12, but could only tally three goals.
Nick Walsh '12 scored the only goal of a hard-fought, defensive first period, cashing in off of assists from Paul Lee '12 and Rick Pinkston '15 to give the Big Green the advantage heading into intermission.
"Quieting the home crowd and starting fast on the road is huge," Schussler said.
In the second, the game opened up more, with each team increasing its shots from the first period and combining to score three goals in the frame. Assistant captain Connor Goggin '12 scored just three minutes into the frame on an end-to-end rush set up by passes from Walsh and Mike Keenan '13.
The Big Green could not maintain its two-goal advantage, however, as the Saints stormed back, scoring two goals in 25 seconds in the middle of the period.
The teams remained tied until the Big Green got its first power play opportunity, which came just over two minutes into the third.
Just seven seconds into the man advantage, Doug Jones '12 ripped a wrist shot from the slot off of a pass from Keenan and found the back of the net. "We had a bit of a lull in the second but came back hard in the third," Schussler said. "We tried not to get too high or too low at any point and stay focused."
The Big Green could not hold the lead, as the Saints evened the score just 12 seconds later. With just under nine minutes left in the game, Eric Neiley '15 put Dartmouth up for good of assists from Tyler Sikura '15 and Keenan. The team then put its foot on the gas, adding goals from Jason Bourgea '13 and Matt Lindblad '14.
The Big Green carried its momentum into the game on Saturday with two goals in the first 10 minutes coming off of the sticks of Andy Simpson '15 and Lindblad. O'Neill was once again spectacular between the pipes, blocking 38 of the 39 Saints' shots in the 4-1 win.
Dartmouth experienced a lull in the second period once again and was outshot 17 to seven by the Saints. O'Neill and the Big Green defense were up to the challenge and the team only gave up one goal. The goaltender stood on his head many times, keeping the Dartmouth men in the lead.
Jones re-established the two-goal lead at the 15:02 mark on a goal that was upheld after an instant replay ruling by the officials.
In the third, the Saints notched 14 shots on O'Neill. The senior made 30 saves in the final two frames to bring the Big Green the win.
Walsh added an empty-net goal with 57 seconds left in the game.
The Big Green was outshot in both games but played spectacular defense and had great goaltending from O'Neill, especially on the team's nine penalty kills of the weekend.
This weekend tied the high-water mark for Dartmouth with 10 goals scored. The Big Green has been a team that has struggled to find the back of the net at times this season.
"Playoffs always bring a different level of play," Schussler said. "The guys were even more motivated and had more energy this weekend."
Next weekend, the Big Green travels to Ithaca, N.Y. to take on Cornell, the second seed in the ECAC. The Big Red swept the Big Green this year, winning by one goal each time. Dartmouth lost the game in Ithaca in overtime, 4-3, and went down in Hanover, 3-2.
"We need to work hard, play our game and have confidence," Schussler said.
