Dartmouth Men's Hockey Loses Hard Fought 1-0 Decision to Vermont

Friday, December 30

Burlington, VT

TBA

Dartmouth College

Vermont

Dartmouth Men's Hockey Loses Hard Fought 1-0 Decision to Vermont

12/30/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey

By: Dartmouth

Dartmouth Men's Hockey Loses Hard Fought 1-0 Decision to Vermont

Dec. 30, 2005

BURLINGTON, Vt. - The Dartmouth (5-8) men's hockey team dropped a hard-fought 1-0 decision to fifth-ranked University of Vermont (12-4-1) today in the first game of the Sheraton/TD Banknorth Catamount Classic. Big Green netminder Mike Devine (Orchard Park, NY) was given player of the game honors for Dartmouth. The Big Green will face Bemidji State in the consolation game at 4:00 pm tomorrow.

The two teams went into the first break scoreless. Vermont held a 12-3 advantage in shots but Dartmouth, who is ranked 6th nationally in penalty kills, iced three Catamount extra-man calls including a 5:00 major late in the period. Devine kept the 'Cats off the board with several big saves including one midway through the stanza. While falling to the right Devine kicked the puck out to the left side of the ice, saving the goal.

Vermont struck for the game winner with 4:02 left in the second period. Brady Leisenring took a shot from the blueline that was saved by Devine. As the Dartmouth defenders crashed the net Matt Syroczynski was able to get a stick down and sneak the puck past Devine.

The Big Green came out firing in the final period of play. Dartmouth had two opportunities to tie the game midway through the stanza. At 11:43 with Vermont goalie Joe Fallon completely out of the net David Jones (North Vancouver, B.C.) was unable to get the puck in and then just five seconds later another shot hit the bottom left side of the post. With minutes remaining in the contest Dartmouth defenders Sean Offers (St. Albert, Alta.) and Ben Lovejoy (Orford, N.H.) both had shots on goal but were unable to get the equalizer.

The Big Green had nine shots on goal in the third but it was Vermont who continued to hold the advantage finishing with 26 shots to Dartmouth's 18.

Syrocynski was chosen the player of the game for Vermont. Devine (4-4) finished with 25 saves while Fallon (10-4-1) had 18.

In the first game of the day, Clarkson defeated Bemidji State in a shootout. The two teams were tied after regulation and overtime with the Golden Knights scoring just once in the shootout for the win. Clarkson and Vermont will meet in the championship game at 7:00 pm.