The challenge of playing a winless team is that at some point the odds say they will get a win and a team just wants to make sure it's not on your watch.  Dartmouth came in at 0-12 but coached by a former national coach of the year, was a tough out for the Golden Knights.   A goal just as the power play expired and a short handed empty net goal sealed the 5-3 win tonight against a tough Dartmouth team.

Dartmouth took the lead on their first shot of the game, Lauren Messier at 4:07.  The Golden Knights answered right back when Anne Cherkowski scored her team leading 11th goal of the season at 5:29.  Raedyn Spademan gave the Knights the lead just a minute later and Clarkson finished the period with a 2-1 lead. 

Clarkson had good pressure to start the second period, as Anne Cherkowski spun and drove to the net, she was taken down by Messier.  On the ensuing power play, Sena Catterall scored her 9th of the season to extend the lead to 3-1.  

Dartmouth's Meredith Jensen scored at 15:40 of the second to pull the Big Green to within 1 goal going into the 2nd intermission. 

Clarkson opened the third period with still over a minute of penalty time to kill, which they were able to do successfully but at 3:52 Rhea Hicks would be called of a slash and just 20 seconds into the advantage, Dartmouth tied the game on Laura Fuoco's goal.   Clarkson would get a power play at 5:42, which lead to the Haley Winn goal, just after the penalty expired but a result of the advantage nonetheless.

Under 8 minutes in the game, Clarkson came up with 3 long possession shifts that forced Dartmouth to spend time and energy chasing the Knights and ticking time off the clock.  That pressure would result in the Big Green taking a hooking penalty with just over 3 minutes to go in the game.  Clarkson, would let the Big Green off the hook, when Sena Catterall would take a hooking penalty with 1:59 on the clock.  The Big Green pulled their goalie with 1:20 left just as the power play started.   A gutsy shot block by Sdney Fess would lead to a clear from Jenna Goodwin that would hit the post and trickle over the line before any skater in Green could get to it.  

Holly Gruber made 16 saves for her 6th win of the season.  Clarkson was 1 for 3 on the power play and allowed 1 goal on 4 chances for Dartmouth. 

With the win the Knights move to 6-1 in ECAC play and jump up to 4th place in the standings.

Tomorrow afternoon, the Knights host Harvard to conclude the semester.  There will be a Skate with A Knight after tomorrow's game for all fans that want to join the team on the ice after the game.

For the most complete coverage, fans can follow the Golden Knights on Facebook www.facebook.com/ClarksonHockey, Instagram at clarksongoldnknights, and on X (formally Twitter) @ClarksonWHockey

For more information about Clarkson Athletics visit www.clarksonathletics.com and to learn more about the ECAC, visit www.ecachockey.com/sports/whockey