The Big Green remains tied atop the conference with Cornell and Quinnipiac, all three teams holding 38 points. Dartmouth ranks 12th nationally in last week’s polls but sits eighth in the National Collegiate Percentage Index.
The shootout victory keeps Dartmouth in contention for the ECAC regular season title as the conference enters its final weekend. The standings reflect one of the tightest races in college hockey, with just points separating the top three teams.
Friday proved to be a night of dramatics across college hockey, with 11 games decided in shootouts and seven more requiring overtime between men’s and women’s competition combined. The trend reflected the intensity of late-season play as teams battle for conference championships and tournament positioning.
The Big Green’s goaltender Emmett Croteau received recognition this week as one of 10 semifinalists for the Mike Richter Award, given annually to college hockey’s most outstanding goaltender. The junior joins a distinguished group that includes Michigan State’s Trey Augustine and Michigan’s Jack Ivankovic.
Dartmouth’s women’s team faced a different outcome Friday, falling 1-0 to Union in ECAC play. The loss came as other conference rivals picked up crucial points in the standings.
The men’s result maintains Dartmouth’s position in what has become a three-way battle for ECAC supremacy. Cornell sits ninth in national rankings while Quinnipiac holds the fifth spot, but the National Collegiate Percentage Index shows all three teams clustered tightly together in terms of actual strength.
With the regular season winding down, every point becomes crucial for tournament seeding and home-ice advantage. Dartmouth’s ability to secure the extra point in the shootout could prove significant when final standings are determined.
The Big Green will look to build on Friday’s result as they head into the final stretch of conference play, knowing that their ECAC championship hopes remain very much alive in what has shaped up to be one of the most competitive races in recent memory.
