Five different goal scorers and solid goaltending was the formula the Quinnipiac Bobcats used to defeat the UConn Huskies 5-2.
“That’s how were going to have to win this year,” head coach Rand Pecknold said. “We’re going to have to score goals in a lot of different ways.”
Quinnipiac (3-1-1) struck first as Connor Clifton won a battle for the puck in the corner and sent it up to the point where Andrew Taverner faked a shot to open up a shooting lane ripping it through traffic to score his third goal of the season.
“We’re similar to last year’s team with a little less fire power,” Pecknold said.
With 11:44 remaining in the first period, Maxim Letunov received a game misconduct for boarding as he sent Chase Priskie into the boards. Priskie would then leave the competition with facial lacerations. Though given five minutes of power play time, the Bobcats were unable to capitalize on the five minute major.
“I thought we responded really well,” head coach Mike Cavanaugh said. “They didn’t really get a whole lot on that power play.”
After a hard forecheck in the corner by Scott Davidson, Tim Clifton corralled the puck and slid it to the slot where Craig Martin whiffed on his first attempt, but never gave up on the play fighting off a UConn defenseman to gain the puck back snapping a shot bar down for his second goal of the season.
“Last year, I think [Martin] was in a tough spot,” Pecknold said. “He’s a very good hockey player and that’s why we started the year with him up with Timmy Clifton.”
At the end of the first period, the Bobcats led 2-0 and were dominating the shot category 19 to 8.
UConn struck back early in the second period after a scrum in front of the net and a couple of hacks at the puck led to Spencer Naas’ third goal of the season.
However, Quinnipiac was able to answer back quickly after a wrap-around goal from Thomas Aldworth to extend the Bobcat’s lead to 3-1. Landon Smith and Taverner picked up assists on the play.
With 10:43 remaining in the second period Karl El-Mir was able to tap home a rebound after crashing the net hard from an Evan Richardson shot to score his second of the season. UConn then trailed the Bobcats 3-2.
With 8:59 remaining in the second period, KJ Tiefenwerth slingshot passed to defenseman Brogan Rafferty to score a highlight reel goal for his first career goal as a Bobcat.
“That comes from just messing around in the backyard,” Rafferty said. “I played that same goalie about ten times last year and he’s a big and really good goalie, so I knew how to get him to move side to side.”
With 8:40 remaining in the second period, the Bobcats headed on the power play. On the man advantage, Connor Clifton entered the attacking zone as if he was going to set up on the power play. Unfortunately for the Huskies, Clifton would rifle the puck to go bar down for his first goal of the season extending the Bobcats lead to 5-2.
Through two periods the Bobcats led the Huskies 5-2 and continued to dominate in shots 36-18.
The third period was filled with great goaltending and even play. At the end of the game, the Bobcats were victorious in the shot column.
“I thought we played hard, and I thought UConn played hard,” Pecknold said. “But we’re happy to get out of here with a win.”
The Bobcats will travel north on Saturday for a visit with the Terriers of Boston University. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m.
