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| Photo courtesy of The Dartmouth |
Dartmouth exploded in the first period, racing out to a 3-0 lead in the first 20 minutes. In the first six minutes, Dartmouth took numerous close shots, keeping the sell-out crowd in Thompson Arena on the edge of its seat.
The Big Green looked like a completely different team compared to Friday night, and played how the preseason polls predicted.
In his first home match against Princeton, Grant Opperman ’17 netted a well-placed shot 5:57 into the game over senior Sean Bonar’s shoulder, igniting the crowd and causing a rain of tennis balls onto the ice.
“It was awesome,” Opperman said. “It was a good play on the power play. There was a great screen. I was lucky enough to be the guy on the spot and pick up the puck and get it in the back of the net. But it was awesome seeing all the tennis balls coming down.”
Opperman’s power play goal was Dartmouth’s first of the calendar year and first in its last 24 opportunities. Dartmouth would go on to add another power play goal in each successive period.
It also turned out to be Eric Neiley ’15’s first time on the ice for the tennis ball toss. Saturday night was Neiley’s first action since the 1-1 Cornell draw as he served a two-game suspension.
“It feels good,” Neiley said. “You never want to sit out. You just want to help the team in any way you can. It’s good to be back and I’m glad I could help out. Tonight was a fun game to be back for.”
There was a momentary scare when Neiley was crosschecked from behind which knocked him down into the net. The goalpost struck his neck, stinging it and sending him to the bench for the rest of the first period. He would later return after the period break and play a big part.
Dartmouth finished the first period with a major 22-5 shot advantage.
45 seconds into the second period, Brandon McNally ’16 redirected a shot from Neiley, netting Dartmouth’s second power play of the night. McNally’s goal would prove to be the game winner.
From there, the second period proved to be Princeton’s.
“Princeton took advantage of some of our turnovers in the second period,” Gaudet said. “We made a few of them in the offensive zone while trying to make a play.”
Princeton refused to give up, battling back with three goals from senior Alec Rush, junior Tyler Magueri and senior Andrew Calof before the second period ended. Several other shots threatened to enter Dartmouth’s net but didn’t.
“I’d be lying to you if I said I wasn’t nervous, because it’s funny how the game ebbs away a little bit and it’s not from a lack of effort,” Gaudet said. “But to regroup going into the third period was really important. We just kept the play in front of us. I thought Princeton played a good game but they weren’t a threat in the third period.”
Jesse Beamish ’15 proved to be the hero of the night, netting his second goal of the night on the power play during the third period. Beamish’s shot from the left circle bounced off Bonar’s leg pads and rolled slowly into the net, sealing the win.
“In a one-goal game, they’re a power play or a shot off a bad angle that hits somebody and it doesn’t have to be a pretty goal,” Gaudet said. “That was just a huge play to get a puck into the net.”
Princeton would pull Bonar from the net to add an extra skater with 2:22 left but never managed to score. Unfortunately, Dartmouth was unable to get a good shot off at the empty net but successfully prevented Princeton from getting multiple shots with the extra skater.
Dartmouth would finish the third period with a 19-3 shot advantage, finishing with a 48-20 advantage.
Dartmouth’s penalty kill also rebounded from the previous night’s Quinnipiac game, thwarting all four of Princeton’s chances.
Kruger allowed three goals in 20 shots but was able to pick up his first career win with Dartmouth’s offensive outburst. Kruger’s Princeton counterpart, Bonar, matched his career high with 43 saves as Dartmouth attacked the goal all game long.
Dartmouth’s 48 shots set a new season high. Its previous high this year came in the season opener when Dartmouth managed 40 shots against Princeton.
Both sides played aggressive all night long, and it showed in the combined 10 penalties both teams took.
Dartmouth travels to Harvard next Friday for its only game of the week. A win over Harvard and a St. Lawrence loss will create a three-team logjam for ninth place in the ECAC.
As for Princeton, the Tigers will prepare for two home games against St. Lawrence and Clarkson.
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