After a two-game series against the Arizona State Sun Devils on the West coast, the Bobcats come back to Hamden tonight for conference play against the Princeton Tigers.  Last time these teams faced off, Quinnipiac (9-12-4 overall, 4-7-2 ECAC Hockey) defeated Princeton (7-10-3 overall, 4-8-1 ECAC Hockey) 6-2. In that game, 15 different Bobcat players tallied points. The Bobcats tied their first game but won their second against the Sun Devils. Princeton split their last weekend road trip losing to Harvard 3-1, but defeating Dartmouth 6-3. Max Veronneau picked up five assists on the weekend.  Both teams will need strong performances from their key players. Here’s a look at both teams keys to success.

Quinnipiac’s Keys to Success:

• Freshman Odeen Tufto leads the team in points (27), and assists (22). He has become crucial to the Bobcat’s offense with his playmaking ability. He added to his assist count with two assists in the second game in Arizona. His ability to create scoring opportunities will be a major factor in the Bobcats success.
• Alex Whalen and Tanner MacMaster lead the team in goals (11). They both added to their goal totals the last series. Their chemistry on the ice has transformed into capitalizing on scoring opportunities.
• Penalties are a thorn in the Bobcats’ side. They are third in ECAC Hockey with 284 minutes. Princeton ranks ninth with 212 minutes. Quinnipiac needs to limit the time on the penalty kill to be successful in this matchup

Princeton’s Keys to Success

• Princeton needs to look to their playmakers to create immediate offense. Ryan Kuffner leads the team in goals (13) and is second in points (22). Max Veronneau leads the team in assists (16) and points (25). These players will be the focal point for the Tigers offense.
• Ryan Ferland has been the Tigers go to goaltender this season. With a .913 save percentage and two shutouts on the year, Princeton needs him to be a force in net.
• While the Bobcats need to stay out of the penalty box, Princeton needs to force them into it. They are second in the conference on the power play (22.7 percent). Forcing the Bobcats to go on the shorthand will be crucial to the Tigers goal scoring opportunities

Tune in as the Bobcats host their first game of the second semester against the Princeton Tigers at 7 p.m. Tuesday night at the Frank Perrotti Jr. Arena. Alex Pena and Pat Pitts will have the call on mixlr.com/qbsn.