Ledyard Bank Classic: Northeastern, Dartmouth Skate to Wild 8-8 Tie in Consolation Game

Hanover, NH -- Northeastern blew a two goal lead, but then rallied from a four goal deficit to salvage a tie with host Dartmouth in the consolation game of the Ledyard Bank Classic at Thompson Arena on Monday afternoon.

Mike Szmatula scored two goals and added an assist for the Huskies. Fellow rookie Dalen Hedges picked up a goal and added two helpers. John Stevens scored a shorthanded goal on a two-on-zero breakaway.

Derick Roy was pulled from the game after two periods, but most of the blame can be put squarely on the shoulders of a poor defense. The freshman recorded 22 saves while giving up six goals before being pulled. Bryan Mountain came on in relief and stopped five of the seven shots he faced.

Two defensemen scored for Bob Gaudet's Big Green. Josh Hartley scored twice and Andy Simpson also added a goal. Forward Eric Neiley had two goals and an assist in another solid performance by one of Dartmouth's top players.

The Big Green's top returning scorer Tyler Sikura was injured on the first play of the game in a fluke play. He has been snakebitten for much of this season.

Charles Grant made 37 saves while giving up eight goals.

This game had a little bit of everything as both teams gave up a multiple-goal lead. There was a shorthanded goal, four power play tallies and two extra attacker goals.

Air Force and Providence are underway in the first period and scoreless in the championship game.

Jeff Cox covers college, junior and high school hockey, NCAA recruiting, NHL Draft prospects and the AHL for SBNation. Follow him on twitter @JeffCoxSBNation.