Dartmouth 2 - Union 1

Schenectady, N.Y. -- Exactly one month after playing one of its best games of the season and barely losing in overtime to then-No. 1 New Hampshire, the Dartmouth men's hockey team did not have the same intensity against the Union Skating Dutchmen last night.

The Big Green was outshot in every period and nearly beaten on several quality scoring opportunities. The operative word is "nearly."

Facing an up-and-coming Union team that has opened many eyes this season, the Dartmouth defense and goaltending were as strong as ever. Though the Dutchmen took plenty of shots, the defense clamped down when it had to, and goaltender Nick Boucher was his usual solid self. He stopped 37 of 38 shots, and the Big Green escaped Achilles Rink with a 2-1 victory.

Aside from Boucher, rookie blueliner P.J. Martin was the difference for Dartmouth. With forty seconds remaining and the score tied at one, he took a pass from left winger Ryan Sinclair and turned it into a power play goal -- his third of the season. Martin's netter was good enough for the Big Green (7-9-4, 6-4-3 ECAC) to notch its second straight win.

"We needed a power play goal," said Dartmouth head coach Bob Gaudet. "We've been working pretty hard on the power play for weeks now, and P.J. is an excellent player. He did what he had to do. He shot it at the net, and it went through.

"It was a huge goal for us."

With the Dutchmen constantly on the attack -- their 38 shots were the second-most Dartmouth has seen all season -- there was plenty of pressure coming at the Big Green net.

That's where Boucher entered the picture. For the rookie, who has spent most of the season at or near the top of several league goaltending categories, it was business at usual. He made 14 saves in the first period, 11 in the second, and 12 in the third, including one with 20 seconds left to preserve the important win.

"Boucher made some great saves, and a little flick of the stick there with 20 seconds left made it a big win," Gaudet said. "He was on his game tonight. He's been on more than he's been off, that's for sure. He really played well."

Union came out with fire in the first period, outshooting the Big Green 14-4 and creating several quality scoring chances on the power play. But despite the great opportunities, the Dutchmen came up empty, and the Big Green made them pay.

With less than three minutes to go in the period, freshman forward Chris Hontvet skated behind the Union net and sent a pass into the slot. Linemate Chris Taliercio was waiting there, and the sophomore blasted a one-timer past netminder Brandon Snee to hand Dartmouth a 1-0 lead.

As it turned out, it was fortunate that Taliercio found the net, because Union kept up the intensity. The Dutchmen once again outshot the Big Green in the second period, though only by an 11-10 margin, and Dartmouth generated very little against Snee. Still, thanks to Boucher, the Big Green skated into the second intermission with its 1-0 lead still intact.

Midway through the third period, Union finally solved the freshman netminder. Skating on their sixth power play of the night, the Dutchmen lit the lamp with a 20-foot line drive from sophomore Jeff Hutchins, and the score was evened at one.

That's how it would remain until the final minute of regulation. With two Union players and one Dartmouth player whistled for penalties, the Big Green enjoyed a 5-on-4 power play, and it proved to be the difference. Sinclair's pass to Martin was perfect, and the blueliner's shot snuck its way through the defense and into the back of the net.

"The problem that we have, quite honestly, is that teams can air it out against us," Gaudet said, alluding to the absence of Dartmouth's traveling partner, Vermont. "I don't want to take anything away from Union, because they're a good, young team. But we have to come back and play on Saturday.

"In that respect, I'm really proud of my guys. They hung in there and found a way to win. This is a big win for us."

The Big Green, now all alone in fourth place in the ECAC, will face third-place Rensselaer Saturday night in Troy, N.Y.

Big Green notes: Three of P.J. Martin's four goals have come against Union. He scored twice back on Jan. 7 when Dartmouth beat the Dutchmen 5-1 at Thompson Arena . . . . The Big Green has now won six in a row against Union . . . . Dartmouth has not defeated Rensselear in Troy, N.Y., since 1989. However, the Big Green shut out the Engineers, 2-0, back on Jan. 8 at Thompson Arena . . . . Dartmouth has won five of its last seven games.