Hanover — Fatigue appeared to become a factor for the Hanover High boys hockey team by the third period of Sunday morning’s contest against two-time NHIAA Division I defending champion Bedford. Hanover’s coaches and players just did not want to use that as an excuse.

The Bulldogs flung 30 shots at Hanover senior goaltender Harris LaRock in a 4-1 victory at Dartmouth College’s Thompson Arena, ending Hanover’s four-game winning streak and its perfect record in league play. Senior Eric Flynn scored a hat trick for Bedford (5-2 league, 9-2 overall), and senior co-captain Zachary Bayer finished the game with a goal and three assists, taking advantage of a Hanover squad playing its second game in a mere 12 hours.

“I don’t think it took that much into account,” LaRock said. “I don’t think (fatigue) was that big of an issue. We all rested up after (Saturday’s) game, (a 2-1 win on the road against Trinity).”

Added Hanover head coach Dick Dodds, his team still the owners of a strong 6-1 D-I league record and 9-2 record overall: “It’s a tough turnaround. But being able to play here (at Thompson), against a good team, we were excited to be able to get this in the schedule.”

Bedford remains the only team to have solved the Marauders this season, having now beaten them twice entering the midway point of the regular season. The first meeting between the two squads, a Manchester Christmas Tournament contest, saw the Bulldogs score two early goals and hold on late for a 4-2 victory.

The result this time around played out differently. Hanover’s stingy defense, led by smooth-skating sophomore Sylas Oberting, gave Bedford’s high-flying offense very few chances in a scoreless first period.

But the Marauders defense broke just 27 seconds into the second, a Bulldogs 2-on-1 that found Flynn backdoor for the opening score. Hanover gave up another off a cleaned-up rebound by Flynn with 1 minute, 10 seconds remaining in the stanza.

Flynn struck again just 23 seconds into the third period, coming out in front of the net to complete the hat trick.

Hanover pulled to within two goals at 3:58 on a power-play tally from senior forward David Lehmann, who finished off a goal mouth scramble at the side of the net. Tono Correa and Matty Gardner provided the assists.

Bedford answered with an insurance goal 51 seconds later.

“They just have a quick pace. They’re a fast team,” Dodds said. “We had a hard time adjusting to the speed, and I think that was the difference. They were a little bit quicker to pucks than we were.”

LaRock finished the game with 26 saves, clocking in another stellar performance for a veteran who spent the last two seasons waiting for his opportunity.

“It’s been good,” said the soft-spoken LaRock. “We’re off to a good start, obviously. I’ve just been working hard in practice for the last two years. That’s really prepared me. … I feel more connected to the team now, like that I can make more of a difference.”

Added Dodds on his goaltender: “He’s been that way all year. He’s a really strong player. … He’s played every minute of every game so far. He’s solid.”

Hanover travels to Manchester’s JFK Coliseum to take on Manchester Memorial (1-4) this afternoon at 4:30 p.m. It will be the Marauders’ third game in as many days.

Josh Weinreb can be reached at jweinreb@vnews.com or 603-727-3306.