Women’s Hockey Takes on Merrimack in First Game of Home-and-Home

Wednesday, December 7

North Andover, Mass. / Lawler Rink

7:00 P.M.

Dartmouth College

Merrimack

Caroline Appleyard women's hockey action versus Brown

Photo by: John and Matt Risley

Women’s Hockey Takes on Merrimack in First Game of Home-and-Home

12/6/2022 10:23:00 AM | Women's Ice Hockey

ESPN+Live Stats Notes (PDF)

The Big Green take on their second Hockey East opponent of the 2022-23 season

By: Francis Forte

GAME 14
Dartmouth (3-10-0, 1-8-0 ECAC Hockey) at Merrimack (5-12-1, 4-11-1 Hockey East)
Date: Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022 – 7 p.m.
Location: North Andover, Mass. – Lawler Rink (2,549)
All-Time Series: First Meeting

HANOVER, N.H. — The Dartmouth women's hockey team travels for a non-conference matchup against Merrimack on Wednesday. The Big Green open the home-and-home with the Warriors on the road, before welcoming Merrimack to Hanover on Saturday. Dartmouth looks to snap a four-game skid with a win in its first-ever meeting with Merrimack.

LAST TIME OUT
The Big Green last took the ice for a pair of ECAC Hockey tilts in northern New York. Dartmouth first fell to St. Lawrence on Friday, December 2 in a hard-fought 4-2 contest. The following day, the Big Green were beaten by then-No. 11 Clarkson, 5-0.

Jenna Donohue and Celine Pietraszek each found the back of the net in Dartmouth's game against St. Lawrence. Donohue's goal marked her fourth of the year and gives her sole possession of the team lead through 13 games. Pietraszek scored her third of the season and first since November 5 against Union.

In net, Maggie Emerson started both games for the Big Green. Elle Sullivan made an appearance between the pipes in the third period of Saturday's game against Clarkson. The freshman made 15 saves in just over 15 minutes of action and did not concede a goal to the Golden Knights.

LOOKING FOR A SPARK
The Big Green have fallen in their last four contests and hold a goal differential of -12 in that span. Dartmouth looks to turn its fortunes around, starting with this week's home-and-home series against Merrimack.

Dartmouth will rely on its proven goal scorers to improve its outlook heading into the new year. Jenna Donohue has scored two goals in her last five games, including a game-winning goal with seven seconds left against Saint Anselm.

Senior forwards Currie Putrah, CC Bowlby and Celine Pietraszek will also look to drive Dartmouth offensively this week and into the new year. Bowlby leads the Big Green with seven points, with Putrah following close behind with six. Pietraszek scored in Dartmouth's game against St. Lawrence last weekend and has three goals in ECAC Hockey conference play.

The Big Green will also look towards its goaltenders for support. Maggie Emerson has seen the majority of action between the pipes and has recorded a pair of shutouts, while Elle Sullivan has allowed just one goal on 37 shots faced.

SCOUTING MERRIMACK
Merrimack enters this week's home-and-home series with a record of 5-12-1 and a 4-11-1 record in Hockey East competition. The Warriors have dropped their last four games against Providence and Vermont.

The Warriors have struggled on the road, with a 1-6-1 record outside the confines of Lawler Rink. Merrimack's last road victory came on November 4 against Holy Cross in conference competition.

Senior forward Katie Kaufman leads the Warriors with 12 points through 18 games. The Lake Elmo, Minnesota native also leads Merrimack with six goals and six assists.

Emma Gorski and Calli Hogarth have combined for a .907 save percentage between the pipes. Despite Merrimack's struggles, Gorski and Hogarth have kept the Warriors in games with a combined total of 537 saves this season.

Merrimack is led by head coach Erin Hamlen, who is in her eighth season with the Warriors. Last season, Hamlen's team went 8-25-1 with a record of 6-20-1 record in Hockey East contests.

ALL-TIME AGAINST THE WARRIORS
Dartmouth is set for its first two meetings in program history with Merrimack.

DARTMOUTH VS. HOCKEY EAST
Dartmouth has faced just one Hockey East foe thus far this season. The Big Green took on Vermont on the road on Tuesday, November 29. The Catamounts defeated Dartmouth by a score of 4-1.

Merrimack serves as Dartmouth's final Hockey East opponent this season. The Big Green look to capture a pair of wins over a single Hockey East opponent for the first time since the 2012-13 season when Dartmouth knocked off Maine in back-to-back games.

Dartmouth defeated its lone Hockey East challenger last season, as the Big Green toppled New Hampshire on January 2, 2022 at home in overtime. CC Bowlby found the back of the net in the extra frame to lift Dartmouth to victory.

FOLLOW ALONG
A stream for Wednesday's game is available on ESPN+. Live stats and stream links are provided above and on the team's schedule page.

WHAT'S AHEAD
Dartmouth and Merrimack close out the home-and-home series on Saturday, December 10 in Hanover. The Big Green's final contest before the new year will be televised on NESN and puck drops at 4 p.m.