Dartmouth Snaps Holy Cross' Unbeaten Streak in 5-2 Home Win

Sunday, January 10

Hanover, N.H.

4:00 PM

Dartmouth College

6-8-1

Holy Cross

12-7-1

Team	1	2	3	F
Holy Cross	0	1	1	2
Dartmouth	3	0	2	5

Dartmouth Snaps Holy Cross' Unbeaten Streak in 5-2 Home Win

1/10/2016 6:42:00 PM | Men's Ice Hockey

Box Score

By: Dartmouth

HANOVER, N.H. – The longest current unbeaten streak in the nation came to an end Sunday afternoon as the Dartmouth men's hockey team defeated Holy Cross, 5-2, at Thompson Arena.

The Crusaders (12-7-1) had not lost in their last nine games (8-0-1), but succumb to a Big Green (6-8-1) team who has now won three of their last four games.

“We built on our play Friday night at Vermont,” head coach Bob Gaudet '81 said. “We just found a way to win this one.”

Brett Patterson scored a career-high two goals in the game with both coming in the first period. Sophomore Carl Hesler had a goal and a pair of helpers for a career night as well, registering three points. Additionally, senior defenseman Geoff Ferguson had two assists for his best scoring output in his 105th career game.

Once again senior goaltender Charles Grant was a rock in net, turning aside 34 in his third win this month. Of those 34 saves, 15 came in the final period with the visitors pressing to tie the game. Since taking over the No. 1 role on Jan. 2, Grant has a 3-1-0 record, a 1.01 goals against average and a save percentage of .960.

“Chuck (Grant) is seeing the puck really well,” Gaudet added. “His play back there has been outstanding and it's been a real confidence boost for everyone when you're getting that kind of goaltending.”

Patterson was the star of the first period with his two goals — including one on the power play — but it was Josh Hartley who opened the scoring at 9:49 of the frame, finishing a breakaway after immediately coming out of the penalty box following a two-minute minor call. Hesler hit him in stride before a slick little move at the top of the crease allowed the junior d-man to slide the puck into the open netmouth.

Holy Cross' T.J. Moore notched an unassisted tally 1:55 into the second for the lone score of the period by either team.

A nice move by Jack Barre in the slot 11:24 into the third was the fourth score by the home team and gave Hesler and Ferguson both their second assists of the game, respectively.

Danny Lopez's fourth tally of the season made it more interesting and a two-goal deficit for the Crusaders with just 2:53 remaining in regulation, but Hesler hit the empty net for his fifth of the season in the final minute to seal the win, 5-2.

Despite the score, Holy Cross outshot the Big Green, 36-28, shinning a light on the importance of Grant's play in the crease. The Dartmouth netminder got some help in front of him as his teammates blocked 20 shots with Hartley's four leading the way.

The Green and White's power play was 1-for-3 on the night, while the penalty killing of the home team was a perfect 2-for-2 and are 9-for-9 since the calendar changed to 2016.

Dartmouth remains at home this week against Clarkson and St. Lawrence on Friday and Saturday night. It's ECAC hockey opponents from here on out for the Big Green who finished 3-3-1 in non-conference games this season.