Game #1

Bridgewater 8, Dartmouth 1

Box Score HERE

Bridgewater, MA - Dartmouth Men's club hockey fell to 0-1-0 on the season after Saturday's tough defeat at the hands of Bridgewater State, a regular contender in NECHA. While there was enormous hype surrounding the game, the young Dartmouth club was overwhelmed by a Bridgewater team who has been preparing for the season for months. 

Bridgewater, led by a plethora of upperclassmen, showed no lack of chemistry or preparation in Saturday's game. A Bridgewater State team with many more organized skates and a lengthy training camp was a significant disadvantage for a Big Green squad who had only a few practices under its belt at that point. 

Bridgewater broke open the scoring with several goals in the first period, including 3 goals in the first 8:11. Bridgwater State's Mike Jessman notched a hat-trick in the first period, largely due to weak defensive play on the part of the Big Green. Sophomore defenseman Ty Teodori had this to say after the first frame: "I think that the team as a whole has got to tighten up defensively and give the goalies a little more support, they've been great for us." Senior captain goalie Scott Bohn was showered with pucks in the first. And although five pucks managed to get past him, several impressive saves were made by Bohn to keep the game as close as it was.

A goaltending change and some motivation from associate head coach Michael Fisher at intermission gave the team a positive attitude and a good showing in the second period, but the Bears' momentum proved to be too much. A nearly scoreless period of hockey was broken after a late-period goal by Bridgewater's Noah Paige. Surreal goaltending from new goalie Robbie DeAngelo played a key part in the teams improved performance, with DeAngelo stopping 24 of 27 shots he faced in the last two frames. 

The Big Green came back with another strong showing in the third, with some great offensive chances generated, but little results as far as goals. Bridgewater collected another goal mid-period before the Big Green answered back with a power play goal of their own. Freshman Paul Woodberry scored his first collegiate goal off a shot from the point that went top right corner over Christian Cellini's glove. Sam Forstner and Jack Mascali registered assists. 

Dartmouth was outshot 35-15 in the match, with both goalies making valiant efforts in net. The game was also largely influenced by its 14 penalty offenses, including a game misconduct penalty against Chris McCorkle that left the team short-staffed late in the game. 

Dartmouth has two key games this weekend. A showdown at Thompson arena vs. Massachusetts Maritime Academy at 8:00 P.M. will start of the weekend, and a short road trip matinée at University of Vermont's Gutterson Fieldhouse Saturday at 1:00 P.M.

-Pax Bandicoot, senior editor for Dartmouth Men’s Club Hockey

Follow the team on twitter @DartClubHockey for in-game updates and additional media.