By Mark Spillane, QBSN Staff Writer
One night after relinquishing a two lead goal to fall to Harvard 6-3, the Quinnipiac Bobcats men’s ice hockey team defeated the Dartmouth Big Green 2-1 tonight in Hamden in a pivotal ECAC matchup for both teams. The win improves Quinnipiac’s record to 14-9-5 (6-6-5 ECAC), while Dartmouth falls to 9-10-4 (6-7-3 ECAC).
Senior Dan Clarke (Belleville, Ontario) got the start in net and played tremendously well, stopping 32 of 33 shots to earn his first victory since Dec. 9 against Sacred Heart.
Sophomore Connor Jones (Montrose, British Columbia) got the scoring started just over two minutes in to the first period, when he received a pass from junior Zach Davies (Smithers, British Columbia) and sent his wrist shot through the legs of Dartmouth goalie Jody O’Neill to give Quinnipiac the 1-0 lead.
After a Dartmouth penalty for hitting after the whistle, the Bobcats expanded their lead about five minutes later with a power play goal by junior Ben Arnt (Oakdale, Minn.). Senior Yuri Bouharevich (Montreal, Quebec), and Davies were credited with the assists, as Arnt knocked in the open rebound chance from the right side of the net.
Quinnipiac then committed a penalty of its own, as Connor Jones was sent to the box for holding with just over eleven minutes remaining in the first frame. The Big Green nearly netted their first goal on the ensuing power play when the puck was knocked behind Clarke, but after a further review the no goal call was upheld.
The score remained 2-0 after one, but Dartmouth’s Brandon McNally nearly scored by hitting the crossbar on a wrist shot over Clarke’s left shoulder just under three minutes into the period.
Neither team gained control over the next several minutes, and the Bobcats nearly extended their lead when Connor Jones found himself all alone in front of the Dartmouth net, but O’Neill made a strong save to keep the score 2-0.
O’Neill then faced and stopped a flurry of shots from the Bobcats, before the loose puck kicked away to Dartmouth junior Mark Goggin (Glen Ellyn, Ill.). Goggin then went on a breakaway before being tripped and brought down by Davies. A rare penalty shot was called and Goggin tried to shoot for the top right corner, but Clarke made a fantastic glove save, causing the home crowd of 3,208 to roar at High Point Solutions arena.
Some very physical play persisted and each team was assessed a two minute minor penalty, forcing the teams to skate four-on-four for a few minutes before the Bobcats were given another man advantage when senior Connor Goggin was penalized for slashing. Though Quinnipiac failed to convert on the opportunity, it took control of the game by outshooting the Big Green 17-to-8 in the period.
The third stanza opened with the Bobcats still leading 2-0, and following a cross-checking penalty on Dartmouth senior captain Mike Keenan, Quinnipiac went back on the power play, but were once again unable to convert, allowing the Big Green to remain within striking distance.
Following a Connor Jones penalty for roughing with 14 minutes and 41 seconds to play, Dartmouth had its own chance with the man advantage, but the Bobcats used their nationally third ranked penalty kill and several key saves from Clarke to protect the two-goal lead.
With just fewer seven minutes remaining remaining, the Bobcats nearly put the finishing touches on the win, when Bouharevich skated behind the net and was nearly able to finish a wraparound attempt. The Big Green quickly responded when freshman Jesse Beamish’s shot was redirected by sophomore Eric Robinson past Clarke for a goal. Sophomore Taylor Boldt’s received credit for the secondary assist, as Quinnipiac’s lead was cut to just one.
Dartmouth pulled O’Neill for the extra attacker with one minute and 18 seconds to play, but the Bobcats were able to sustain the Big Green pressure and hold on for the 2-1 victory. The physical contest ended with emotions running high among both clubs, and a shoving match behind the Quinnipiac net. However, the Bobcats will certainly trade the physicality in the final seconds for the all-important two points.
The Bobcats continue their ECAC play when they travel to St. Lawrence on Friday, Feb. 10 at 7 p.m.
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