No. 3 Quinnipiac overwhelmed an injury-decimated and over-matched Dartmouth squad 8-1. The game was a microcosm of Dartmouth's entire season, and was the hockey equivalent of a perfect game for Quinnipiac.
The rout started from the very first face-off as senior Connor Jones scored the game's first goal in just eight seconds, setting a school record for fastest goal. The Bobcats never looked back, reeling off another five goals by the end of the second period and forcing Dartmouth to change its goalie.
Three of Quinnipiac's goals were scored in a timespan of just three minutes.
"Quinnipiac is an excellent team," Dartmouth head coach Bob Gaudet said following the game. "I thought from the opening face-off Quinnipiac was outstanding. We didn't have any answers and that's my jobs."
Dartmouth's lone goal came long after the game's outcome was no longer in doubt. The point seemed to only antagonize Quinnipiac as they would net another two easily before the night's end.
Dartmouth entered the game needing to capitalize on power play opportunities to remain competitive. Except Dartmouth couldn't score on any of its power plays as Quinnipiac's penalty kill was too good. Quinnipiac entered Friday with a penalty kill of 91 percent, while Dartmouth is now scoreless in its last 23 power plays.
"We're better than we showed but they have an outstanding team," Gaudet said. "They presented us a lot of problems in terms of their skill level and quickness."
Dartmouth hopes to rebound from tonight's defeat with a win against Princeton tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m. The game will be well attended by Dartmouth students because of the traditional "tennis ball toss" after the team's first goal.
Quinnipiac's win and losses by Union and Colgate means Quinnipiac holds sole possession of first place in the ECAC.
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