From Central Maine Athletics
Auburn, ME. Sunday afternoon would end up being a tremendous game between undefeated Dartmouth and the Mustangs. The Mustangs came out and strong and played a solid game but end up losing 4-3. The first period was back and forth but it was Jonah Bird who would make the 1-0 after forcing a turnover in the neutral zone. ” That really got our bench in the game, it is amazing to see the passion this team has when a team-mate score” Said Coach Knoren”. Dartmouth would end up converting on the powerplay late in the period to tie it 1-1. Noah Bird played very solid in net and was able to make 17 saves in the First period.
In the second period both teams came out with speed and high intensity. Nate Marcotte used the screen and placed a perfect shot to make it 2-1 Mustangs (assisted by Cody Ivey). The Mustangs would feed of the momentum and find themselves on the powerplay. Sam Laroche would collect a clean face-off win from Sam Alexander and put the Mustangs up 3-1. The Mustangs would run in to some penalty trouble erasing their four minutes left on the Major penalty. ” When you get a chance to have a 5-minute powerplay you have to put teams away, we let Dartmouth off the hook by taking a penalty.” said Coach Knoren. The Mustangs would be called with a double Minor, and it would be Dartmouth scoring 2 powerplay goals to send both teams to the locker-room 3-3 entering the third period.
The third period began very conservatively as both teams didn’t want to make the mistake that would lead a goal. Unfortunately, Dartmouth was able to get a bounce of a blocked shot that found its way in the back of the net late. ” I credit our guys for bouncing right back; in hockey sometimes, the bounces or calls don’t go your way and that is exactly what happened tonight, however this group sticks with it and understands how to deal with adversity,” said Coach Knoren. “In final two minutes, the Mustangs would pull their goaltender trying to send it to overtime. Charles Campagna was able to win a battle and find Sam Alexander in front but it was Dartmouth goaltender who stopped it from going to overtime. ” This one really stings as we fought all the way in the end but just couldn’t find the equalizer to send it to extra time, give Dartmouth credit they haven’t lost a game in two and half years and find ways to win” added Coach Knoren.
“The Mustangs strong effort didn’t go unnoticed! ” You guys are the best competition we faced this year, and you have an incredible hockey team” said Coach Fisher from Dartmouth”
The Mustangs will look to bounce back and get in the win column against New England College on Thursday.
(Originally published at https://www.cmmustangs.com/sports/mice/2021-22/releases/20211108gmwgtq)
