In a women's hockey game between two of the top teams in the country on Friday night, I saw #4 Dartmouth knock off #3 Minnesota in Hanover, NH, 6-3.  This was a crucial game for Dartmouth in particular, following their sweep the previous weekend at the hands of #2 Minnesota-Duluth, and given the fact that there's only room for 4 teams in the women's NCAA tournament each year.

Dartmouth got off to an extremely quick start, with Carly Haggard scoring the 100th goal of her career on a deflection less than 2 minutes into the game (I assume the goalie was screened; it looked like a pretty weak goal).  They added two more, including a pretty goal by freshman Cherie Piper, and took a 3-0 lead into the first intermission.

Minnesota fought back hard in the 2nd period, getting two early PPGs (W. Brodt and Clarke) to cut the lead to 3-2.  It looked like it would be a tight game the rest of the way, but Dartmouth's Bredin scored a critical goal with just 12 seconds remaining in the period, increasing the lead back to 2 goals and perhaps deflating the Gophers as they headed back to the locker room.

An early third period goal by Dartmouth's Krista Dormfried increased the margin back to 3 goals, and Minnesota got no closer than 2 the rest of the way (following another PPG, this one by Krissy Wendell).  Dartmouth added an ENG to make the final tally 6-3, and handing Minnesota just their 3rd loss on the season.

Overall, Dartmouth looked strong both offensively and defensively, getting strong contributions from all 4 of their Canadian national team players (who had missed the previous weekend versus UMD).  The Big Green pretty much contained the high-scoring Minnesota line led by US Olympians Wendell and Darwitz, and kept Minnesota scoreless while at even strength (the Gophers were 3 for 3 on the power play, however).  On the few occasions when Wendell and Darwitz did get the puck with some room to maneuver, they looked quite dangerous (Wendell in particular, who blasted a few rocket shots), but Dartmouth minimized those opportunities for the most part.

Dartmouth may have sustained a significant loss, however, when freshman Meaghan Walton crashed into the boards in the 3rd period and was helped off the ice with what was later reported as a possible fracture (leg or ankle).

Minnesota rebounded the next night with a 4-0 shutout at #5 New Hampshire.