Women’s Hockey to Face Princeton in First Playoff Appearance Since 2015

GAME 30
Dartmouth (6-20-3, 3-16-3) at No. 13 Princeton (13-10-6, 6-10-6)
Date: Saturday, February 24, 2024 – 3 p.m.
Location: Princeton, N.J. – Hobey Baker Rink
All-Time Series: 32-55-8
Last Meeting: 1/12/24 – T 1-1

ECAC HOCKEY RULE CHANGE BENEFITS DARTMOUTH
ECAC Hockey changed the playoff format for the women's teams this year, mirroring the male teams and implementing a format that grants all twelve teams a spot in the playoffs. The playoffs will begin with a single elimination opening round followed by best of three series through the quarterfinals before returning to single elimination semifinal and championship games.

The Big Green finished tenth in the league, posting a 3-16-3 conference record, and collecting 14.5 points in the league standings. The tenth-place finish sends the Big Green to Princeton to face the No. 13 Tigers in the one game opening round.

BIG GREEN PLAYOFF HISTORY
The Big Green are four-time ECAC Hockey Champions. The last time the Big Green took home the Championship was in 2009 when they dominated RPI for a 6-1 victory. The Big Green's last postseason appearance was following the 2014-15 season in which they were swept by Clarkson.

Despite seven straight seasons without a playoff appearance, the Big Green look to make an impact this season, thanks to ECAC Hockey's rule change.

LAST WEEKEND'S RESULTS
Dartmouth travelled to North Country to face nationally ranked Clarkson and St. Lawrence last weekend to close out its regular season. Despite being shutout both games, the Big Green strung together a positive defensive performance in the second half of the road trip, holding the Saints to ten shots in the first period. The Saints clicked offensively in the second period however, posting four goals to stunt a Big Green comeback on their way to a 5-0 victory.

LAST TIME VS. PRINCETON
The Big Green hosted the Tigers in January to wrap up their regular season series. After a 5-2 loss at Hobey Baker Rink during their first matchup of the year, Dartmouth was able to hold the Tigers off the scoreboard until midway through the third period, only allowing one goal to secure the tie against the Tigers that at the time, were ranked No. 11. The Big Green also committed one less penalty in the tie, successfully killing all three penalties.

Goaltender Hann Humphreys made their first start of the season, collecting 33 saves and beginning a streak of starting nine of the team's 11 remaining games, all against ECAC Hockey opponents.

SCOUTING PRINCETON
Sarah Fillier continues to lead the Tigers offensively, scoring 25 goals and tallying 37 points on the season, despite missing three games. Issy Wunder and Emerson O'Leary are tied for the team lead in assists (22). The Big Green were able to eliminate all three Tigers' offensive weapons during the 1-1 tie in January, a task that will prove important in the opening round.

Uma Corniea and Jennifer Olnowich have almost evenly split time in net for the Tigers. Corniea has started 15 games this season, collecting a .911 save percentage and a 2.26 goals against average while Olnowich has started 12 games for the Tigers, posting a .920 save percentage and a 2.13 goals against average.

The Tigers wrapped up their regular season with a dominant 5-1 victory on the road versus Union and battled with RPI for a 3-3 tie in the regular season finale. The Big Green will look to emulate their strong defensive effort during their 1-1 tie with the Tigers when they open the playoffs. The last time the Big Green won a game at Hobey Baker rink was in 2012, as Dartmouth defeated Princeton 3-1.

FOLLOW ALONG
The opening round single elimination game will be available to stream nationally on ESPN+ and internationally on Stretch Internet. You will also be able to follow the live stats on DartmouthSports.com.

WHAT'S NEXT?
If the Big Green beat No. 13 Princeton, they will move on to the best of three quarterfinal and travel to face one of the top four seeds that have received a first round bye and home ice advantage.

Schedules