DISCLAIMER: The following audio clip contains explicit language.
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Cornell coach Mike Schafer’s comments about Quinnipiac coach Rand Pecknold came after the Bobcats’ 1-0 victory over the Big Red on Saturday night at High Point Solutions Arena.
Following the game in the handshake line between the two teams, Schafer and Pecknold appeared to exchange words. Moments later players on both sides became involved in a scrum at center ice. Danny Federico and Joel Lowry each received 10-minute misconduct penalties for their roles in the incident.
Schafer said:
“You wonder why the guys were pissed at the end at center ice. It’s not the kids. They take the lead from us, so yeah I contributed to it because I’m pissed off at their coach at the end of the game for being such an a**hole.”
The hit that Schafer referred to in the rest of the clip was Matthew Peca’s hit from behind on Cole Bardreau early in the second period. Peca received a five-minute major and a game misconduct. Bardreau was not injured on the hit and played the remainder of the game.
When Schafer talked about Pecknold running up the score in the playoffs a few years back, he was referring to Quinnipiac’s 10-0 win over Cornell in Game 2 of the 2013 ECAC Quarterfinals at High Point Solutions Arena. Quinnipiac eventually won the series and advanced to the ECAC Semifinals in Atlantic City.
On Saturday, the two teams both played a strong defensive game with back-and-forth action through the first two periods. The Bobcats took control of the game in the final period, outshooting the Big Red 19-1, before scoring the eventual game-winner.
Tim Clifton scored the game’s only goal with 1:56 to go in regulation time to give Quinnipiac back-to-back wins in its opening weekend of ECAC play.
Michael Garteig made 18 saves for his second consecutive shutout. Mitch Gillam stopped 39 shots in a losing effort.
The Bobcats and Big Red next meet on Friday, Feb. 6 at Cornell’s Lynah Rink.
