For the second consecutive season the Quinnipiac men’s ice hockey team will take on UMass-Lowell in a home and home series. The Bobcats and Riverhawks each reached their respective programs first Frozen Fours in 2013. Following the road to Pittsburgh, the teams met early last season with Quinnipiac taking both games by a score of 3-1. Derek Smith led all returning Bobcats with a goal and two assists in the games. Michael Garteig picked up both wins and made a combined 44 saves for the Bobcats. Lowell returners Adam Chapie and Ryan McGrath scored in each loss.
The 9th ranked Riverhawks are coming off a 5-2 win against Boston College at the Tsongas Center last weekend. The Riverhawks jumped out to a 3-1 lead in the first period and road the strength of five different goal scorers to take down the Eagles. Goaltender Kevin Boyle stopped 19 shots to pick up the season opening win. Coach Rand Pecknold and co-captain Danny Federico both recognized Lowell’s compete level in the win and were impressed on their ability to win battles against the Eagles.
The No. 13 Bobcats took care of Bentley with a season opening 5-3 win in Hamden on Saturday night. Sam Anas scored two goals and Matthew Peca added a goal and an assist to lead the offense. Michael Garteig made 14 saves to pick up his first victory of the year.
“I liked that we figured out a way to win but I don’t think we played our best game,” Pecknold said. “But we still did find a way to win and I thought Matt Peca was really good along with Sam Anas and those two guys really carried us and some other guys stepped up and had good games.”
Senior captain Dan Federico believed the teams compete level was there but the focus needs to be on the attention to details.
The Bobcats and Riverhawks meet Friday night at the Tsongas Center in Lowell at 7:15 p.m. Saturday night the teams will travel down to Hamden for a 7 p.m. puck drop. Mark Spillane and Marty Joseph will have the call on theqbsn.com live from the High Point Solution Arena at 6:45 p.m.
