HANOVER, NH –

            As the boys return to campus in less than five days, we’re excited to take a look back on the Big Green’s first half. Despite a struggle in net with both of the team’s goaltenders in 3-2 exchange engineering programs back at their NCAA DIII programs, the boys fought hard this past semester and focused on developing skills, systems, and team chemistry. Freshman Aaron Trauner and sophomore Mason Strazzella valiantly stepped into the net for a combined 9 college hockey games with no prior goaltending experience, doing what very few people can do even with years of experience. With six players scoring more than a point per game and the team averaging 4.67 goals per game, a Northeast Regional 4th best, the skill development under head coach Gary Smith has certainly paid off. The team’s defense stepped up in a big way as well, with three of the team’s seven losses ending in a two-goal or less differential. The highlight of the Fall term was a 12-5 win over Suffolk University, led by five-point performances from Jamie McLaughlin and Chris McCorkle. Contributions came all around the lineup, including a two-point night from Brain Drisdelle against Norwich University, highlighted by a beautiful goal that left James McLaughlin saying, “remember when Drizzy sniped boys?” the rest of the term. With only two players graduating this spring and a promising number of recruits on the coaching staff’s radar as well as the return of the team’s top two goaltenders, the upcoming season looks even more promising. The team will face some more challenges in the winter as most of the junior class will use their off term, but the missing upperclassmen will provide a great opportunity for younger players to develop with more ice time. Freshmen blue liners Parker Pickett and Ben Brody have seen their roles evolve into more minutes per game as they have successfully adjusted to the college level. Pickett has stepped into an important two-way defenseman with 5 points in 7 games, while Brody has emerged as a reliable shutdown defenseman capable of playing top-2 minutes. Head coach Gary Smith and associate coach Michael Fisher both remain positive and excited about the progress and development of this promising young team. Stay tuned as the media team will be updating as the season further progresses. 

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

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