The Quinnipiac men’s hockey team (19-4-5, 9-2-3 ECAC) pulled out a 6-3 win in a gritty game against Clarkson (16-10-2, 9-5-0 ECAC) Friday night. The game featured 71 total penalty minutes and a Quinnipiac offense that has averaged nearly six goals a game in its last five games played.
Center Matthew Peca said he expected Clarkson to come out and play a physical game: “It was intense, it was exactly what we expected. We knew it was going to be a war, they battled.”
The scoring was broken open early, when Connor Jones scored ten seconds into the game. He is the first player in NCAA history to open up two consecutive games with goals in under ten seconds. Peca made it 2-0 for the Bobcats a minute later, potting in a backhand shot off of a rebound from sophomore left wing Travis St. Denis.
The second period started the same way as the first, with two quick goals from Clarkson. The two goals in the first minute and a half left the Golden Knights and Bobcats tied up.
Head coach Rand Pecknold was disappointed in the play of his team in the middle period.
“I thought the whole second period was atrocious,” he said. “I thought we were terrible. I wouldn’t say it was the worst period of the year but it was close. It was bad. We played poorly, lost poise and that’s not how you win championships so we will have to learn from our mistakes.”
Midway through the third, Bryce Van Brabant was able to break the 3-3 tie with a backhand from inside the Clarkson crease. His goal was the only power-play goal in ten opportunities.
Pecknold seemed unfazed by the lack of conversion from his team, the No. 2 power play in the ECAC.
“We got great looks,” he said. “It’s all about getting looks and if you get enough good looks you’re going to score your goals.”
Quinnipiac continues conference play Saturday, Feb. 9, against St. Lawrence at 7 p.m. at High Point Solutions Arena.
