Hanover, N.H. -- Ryan Chaytors and Bill Kelleher each scored a pair of goals to lead Dartmouth to a 6-4 nonconference victory over visiting Merrimack.
The Big Green (4-3-0, 2-3-0 ECAC) took a 3-0 lead after one period on the strength of two goals by Chaytors and never trailed. Freshman goaltender Jason Wong posted his third win of the season with 22 saves.
Merrimack (3-7-1, 2-5-1 Hockey East) pulled within one at 5-4 early in the third period on two power play goals by Kris Porter 15 seconds apart, but Dartmouth slammed the door after that. David Whitworth completed the scoring with a late empty-netter, sealing the win for his team. Whitworth also had a pair of assists on the night and leads Dartmouth in scoring with 4-5-9 in seven games.
Jon Sturgis's rebound goal early in the third proved to be the game winner and gave Dartmouth a 5-2 lead before Porter's pair of tallies.
The Big Green worked hard and took advantage of Merrimack turnovers and defensive breakdowns in the first period on route to building their commanding 3-0 lead. Kelleher got the ball rolling at 3:26 off a three on two, and 1:15 later Chaytors made it 2-0 when he beat Warrior goalie Eric Thibeault (35 saves) from the right circle through a screen. Chaytors added a shorthanded goal late in the period when he and Whitworth pinned Merrimack in their own end and forced a turnover.
Merrimack carried the play much of the second period but couldn't cash in until Sandy Cohen's wrist shot beat Wong at 11:16. Just over two minutes later, Kelleher got that one back when he forced a Merrimack turnover and followed up his own rebound to make it 4-1. The Warriors continued to make things interesting, though, as John Jakopin scored his first of the year with 3:30 left in the period from high in the slot through a screen, and it was 4-2 Dartmouth after two.
Merrimack had four straight power plays in the final period, converting on two after Sturgis made it 5-2 just 2:34 in. Penalties at 4:13 and 5:15 put Merrimack up 5-on-3, and Porter banged in a rebound of a shot by Eric Weichselbaumer at 5:27 to pull Merrimack within two. Just 15 seconds later on the ensuing 5-on-4, Porter beat Wong off a feed from Rejean Stringer behind the net, setting up an exciting battle for the remainder of the game.
But Dartmouth successfully killed off a penalty later in the period and Wong stood tall in net, turning away 12 of the 14 shots he faced in the third to run his record to 3-0-0. Merrimack fell to 1-6-0 on the road this season with the loss. Dartmouth's total of six goals is a season high.
Dartmouth is off until Dec. 14 when the Big Green host another Hockey East opponent, Mass Amherst. Merrimack will try to get back on the winning track Saturday night at home against Rensselaer.
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| Merrimack |
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| Dartmouth |
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Dartmouth: 0 for 2
Merrimack: 2 for 6
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Kelleher | Whitworth, Wercinski | 3:26 |
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Chaytors | unassisted | 4:41 |
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Chaytors | Whitworth | 15:26 (SHG) |
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Cohen | Hale | 11:16 |
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Kelleher | unassisted | 13:36 |
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Jakopin | Beck, Laroche | 16:30 |
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Sturgis | Cancelli, B. Retter | 2:34 (GWG) |
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Porter | Weichelbaumer, Cohen | 5:27 (PPG; 5 on 3) |
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Porter | Stringer, Kesserling | 5:42 (PPG) |
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Whitworth | Kelleher | 19:49 (ENG) |
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| Thibeault (Merrimack) |
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| Wong (Dartmouth) |
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Dumas | boarding | 7:49 |
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Hughes | highsticking | 14:59 |
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Weichelbaumer | slashing | 19:04 |
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Weichelbaumer | + 10 minute misconduct | 19:04 |
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Grelle | slashing | 7:41 |
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Jakopin | cross-checking | 17:13 |
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Sturgis | roughing | 17:13 |
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Cancelli | holding | 19:95 |
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Giedt | slashing | 4:13 |
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Whitworth | hitting from behing | 5:15 |
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Burkart | cross-checking | 11:05 |