King Scores in Overtime to Lift Dartmouth Past Merrimack

Wednesday, December 7

North Andover, Mass. / Lawler Rink

7:00 P.M.

Dartmouth College

4-10-0

Merrimack

5-13-1

OT 1

Dartmouth

Merrimack

Photo by: Francis Forte

King Scores in Overtime to Lift Dartmouth Past Merrimack

12/7/2022 10:03:00 PM | Women's Ice Hockey

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

Annie King scored an overtime goal to give the Big Green a 2-1 victory on Wednesday night

By: Francis Forte

NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. — The Dartmouth women's hockey team received overtime heroics from Annie King, as the Big Green took down Merrimack on the road on Wednesday night. King scored a power play goal to seal a 2-1 win for the Big Green in non-conference competition.

Freshman goaltender Elle Sullivan recorded her first collegiate victory, allowing just one goal on 14 shots. Sophie Robinson joined her fellow defender with a goal, her second of the season, while Cally Dixon, CC Bowlby and Jenna Donohue recorded assists.

The Big Green were dominant in the faceoff circle, winning 60.7 percent of draws throughout the contest. Seniors Georgia Kraus and Sydney Herrington led the way at the dot, winning a combined 16 of 23 faceoffs.

Dartmouth outshot Merrimack in ever period, and only allowed a combined six shots in the second, third and overtime frames. The Big Green's penalty kill was strong, allowing just two shots in four Merrimack power play minutes.

"Once we started moving our feet, winning some puck battles and getting shots on net, things turned our way," head coach Liz Keady Norton said. "I was proud of our effort, especially in the third period and OT. We had some huge blocks, some big defensive plays and a hueg back check at the end to help keep us in it."

The first period featured back and forth action between the Big Green and Warriors. Merrimack edged out Dartmouth in shots through the first 20 minutes, 7-5, and held the puck near Sullivan's net in the early stages of the game.

Play flowed equally as the period went on, with Dartmouth challenging Merrimack's goalie, Emma Gorski, with a few strong chances. Led by Herrington, the Big Green were dominant in the faceoff circle, winning 10 of 15 draws in the first.

The Big Green killed the only penalty of the period, as Dartmouth's killers held strong after a body checking call was made against Abby Grexton 12:12 into the frame. Sullivan was tested just once on Merrimack's power play, as the defense kept the Merrimack from establishing possession.

Dartmouth dominated the second period of action but could not find the back of the net as the game remained scoreless after 40 minutes. The Big Green tested Gorski with 10 shots while Merrimack only mustered three on Sullivan.

The Big Green drew three minor penalties in the second and recorded five total shots in 5:50 of power play action. Gorski was up to the task, as Dartmouth could not find a go-ahead goal with the advantage.

Dartmouth broke through in the eighth minute of the third period, as Dixon came down the right-wing side and fired a shot off Gorski's pad. Robinson made the most of the rebound opportunity, cashing in to give the Big Green a 1-0 lead.

BIG GREEN GOAL!

Sophie Robinson finds the back of the net on a rebound to give us a 1-0 lead in the third!@ESPNPlus: https://t.co/fyYBDpF82M #GoBigGreen | #TheWoods pic.twitter.com/WyhRnCuwDZ
— Dartmouth Women's Hockey (@Dartmouth_WIH) December 8, 2022

The Big Green's advantage would not last long, as Merrimack responded with a goal of its own with 8:38 remaining in regulation. Alexa Pongo ripped a shot over Sullivan's glove to tie the contest, 1-1.

Regulation came to a close and the teams headed to overtime, as 60 minutes was not enough to decide the non-conference game.

Dartmouth earned a power play opportunity in overtime, which gave the Big Green a 4-on-3 with a chance to win the game. King rifled a shot from the point, which was deflected in front by a Merrimack stick into the back of the net.

OVERTIME WINNER!

Annie King ends this game on a power play game winner!#GoBigGreen | #TheWoods pic.twitter.com/LdatrviGxI
— Dartmouth Women's Hockey (@Dartmouth_WIH) December 8, 2022

"This win was really big for us," King said following the win. "This just brings up our morale and we can realize how much potential we have as a team and how good we can be when we're working."

King's second goal of the season lifted Dartmouth a 4-10-0 record, while Merrimack fell to 5-13-1. Dartmouth claimed the first-ever meeting between the teams and is now 4-5-0 on the road.

The Big Green and Warriors close out the home-and-home on Saturday at Thompson Arena. Puck drop is slated for 4 p.m. and the game will be broadcast by NESN and Stretch Internet internationally.