The turning point in Friday’s game came at the 5:07 mark of the third period, when Big Green defenseman Ben Lovejoy converted on a power play opportunity with a screened shot from the left point that found the net. Finding the twine behind Junior goaltender Jordan Alford gave Dartmouth a decisive three-to-one advantage.

Earlier­ in the second period, the Engineers showed the Big Green they were not going to keel over easily. They put their first strike on the board just two minutes and 15 seconds into the second frame. Sophomore defenseman Reed Kipp fired from the slot and found the mesh high on the glove side of Dartmouth’s goaltender Mike Devine. Senior forwards Oren Eizenman and Kirk MacDonald were credited with assists on the play.

The Engineers’ fight to stay with Dartmouth on the scoreboard was short-lived. Following Kipp’s goal, Big Green winger Kevin Swallow answered RPI’s first goal by scoring only 41 seconds later.

So although Dartmouth struck first Friday night, the result was not secured until the critical play making the game 3-1 in the third period. Dartmouth’s first goal came following a turnover in the neutral zone; Dartmouth forward J.T. Wyman rushed the puck up the right side of the ice and fired a low snap-shot to put the Big Green on the board just 1:29 seconds into the first period.

RPI matched Dartmouth’s defensive style by attacking their net hard. Posts, nasty glove saves, and deflected shots all were issues for the Engineers Friday night. Despite four power play opportunities, RPI failed to capitalize. The Engineers tested Devine 33 times and were only able to solve him twice.

RPI had a breath of last hope as junior forward Jonathan Ornelas scored at the 13:41 mark of the third period on a pass from sophomore forwards Matt Angers-Goulet and Kurt Colling. The Big Green, however, regained their two-goal lead on a shot from center Nick Johnson at 18:36 of the third period. Johnson would put Dartmouth’s fifth and final goal on the board after Alford had been pulled for an extra man.

The next night, the Harvard Crimson converted on three of six power play opportunities in their ECAC hockey league match up against the Engineers in Cambridge, Mass. The Engineers, as well as the Crimson, found themselves trading off places in the penalty box many times. Late in the first period, MacDonald was whistled for high-sticking.

Following a scoreless first period, the Crimson capitalized on the man advantage that overlapped from the late first period penalty on RPI. One minute and 38 seconds into the second frame, Harvard’s Alex Meintel took a shot from the point that beat sophomore goaltender Mathias Lange.

RPI poured on the pressure midway through the second. Trying to take advantage of two special teams opportunities, the Engineers attempted to capitalize on several chances but failed to beat Harvard goaltender Kyle Richter. The second frame closed with RPI remaining off the scoreboard.

The third period was riddled with special teams situations. The Engineers had a total of four power plays in the third period alone. In total, RPI would end up 0 for 6 with the man advantage.

It was déjà vu for the Engineers, as the Crimson once again struck within the first two minutes of the period. At the 1:14 mark of the third period Harvard defenseman Chad Morin scored on a shot from the point. Senior forward Kevin Broad brought the Engineers within one on an assist from MacDonald and senior defenseman Jake Luthi at the 16:28 mark of the third period.

While RPI tried to capitalize on the extra man advantage with Lange out of the net, Harvard’s Steve Mandes managed to come up with the puck in the neutral zone and fire a shot on RPI’s empty net with just 15 seconds left to seal the deal.

Head coach Seth Appert cited the “first goal” as a turning point in Saturday’s match up. Facing two talented teams doesn’t allow for “defensive breakdowns,” said Appert. He also stated that their inability to finish was a problem, especially against two tenacious teams. Looking ahead to next week “blocking shots” is something that Appert would like to improve upon.