Hockey

The best that can be said for the Dartmouth hockey team this winter is that it is striving gamely to win a few contests here and there as it progresses through a dismal season. This is probably one of the weakest squads that Coach Eddie Jeremiah has ever had. The Indians have little or no scoring punch and a very weak defense.

Since the last report Dartmouth has lost to St. Lawrence 12-1, Clarkson 6-3, Norwich 8-5, Princeton 3-2, Middlebury 4-3, and Harvard 8-4. The Big Green defeated Boston University 4-3 and this victory, coupled with two earlier wins, gives it a record of three wins against six defeats.

In an effort to bolster the team Coach Eddie Jeremiah has been making lineup shifts almost daily, but now seems to think that the team has sifted down and expects no further changes for a while. Ab Oakes, a junior, has been moved up to the first line to skate with Captain Dana Hennigar and Chet Gale. Oakes replaced Dave Tonneson who moved to second-line wing to skate with sophomore Charlie Sprott and Bob Marchant, a war veteran. Dartmouth's current third line has sophomore John Strong and junior Ron MacKenzie on the wings with Spud Mansur at center. Dan Goggin and Charlie Sellman, both sophomores, are the starting defensemen, with George Snelson and Tom Booth in reserve. Veteran Gordie Russell continues to show amazing agility as goal tender but can't stop them all.

Dartmouth's first line dominates the scoring column as expected. Chet Gale at right wing has 11 goals and five assists for 16 points, Captain Red Hennigar has two goals and eight assists for 10 points, and wingman Ab Oakes has five goals and three assists for an eight-point total. Charlie Sprott with four goals and three assists and Dave Tonneson with two goals and five assists are the other top scorers to date. Meanwhile goalie Gordie Russell has had 284 saves in nine games, averaging 31 stops per game.

Only a handful of players on the team have shown much. Chet Gale is far and away the best skater and scorer on the ice. Captain Red Hennigar is a capable playmaker. Dan Goggin is the only defensive player of note. Gordie Russell, of course, plays outstandingly at goal and Charlie Sprott is a scrappy hustler on the second line. The others try and at times show bursts of talent and speed, but generally speaking the Dartmouth hockey team is woefully weak and must be content with the role of "spoiler" this winter.