Showcasing impressive resiliency and offensive prowess, the men's hockey team skated to a 4-1 win over Harvard University on Saturday evening, leveling its ECAC first round series at one game apiece.
Bouncing back from a first game loss to the Crimson (10-8-3, 6-14-2 ECAC), the Big Green (14-12-5, 9-9-4 ECAC) prolonged the season for at least one more game, with Sunday evening's matchup determining whether Dartmouth will advance to the ECAC quarterfinals.
In a must-win contest, the Big Green scored first, last and in between on the way to a vitally important victory. Only 10 minutes into the game, Dustin Walsh '13 benefited from a high deflection save from Harvard goalie Raphael Girard, as he knocked home a lose puck that had fallen behind Girard to give the Big Green the lead. Although Harvard clawed back to even the game with a second period power play goal, Dartmouth took the lead later in the same frame behind a clinical power-play finish from Tyler Sikura '15.
Two more goals in the third period, delivered behind a terrific Mike Keenan '13 shot and an incredible passing combination from Sikura and Matt Lindblad '14 combined to give the Big Green the vital win.
"It was a really good, gutsy effort," head coach Bob Gaudet said. "I give the guys credit for just sticking with it."
Sunday's 5 p.m. contest will determine the first-round series winner, and as the Big Green currently sits outside of the NCAA tournament cutoff, it could be the last game of the season.
