This Saturday the Quinnipiac Bobcats women’s ice hockey team will face the Guelph Gryphons in an exhibition game at the newly renamed Peoples United Center in Hamden, Connecticut. The Bobcats are coming off a disappointing 2017-2018 season, recording a 16-17-3 record and losing to St. Lawrence in the first round of the ECAC tournament. Guelph, based in Ontario, finished last season with a 24-11 record. They lost in the semi-finals of the Ontario University Athletic Conference (OUA) tournament to the Western Mustangs of London, Ontario.
Players to Watch
Quinnipiac: Melissa Samoskevich
Samoskevich had a great season last year for Quinnipiac. She led the Bobcats with 15 goals, 10 assists, and 25 points. Samoskevich is back for her senior season and is looking to add to her fantastic junior season. This summer Samoskevich was invited to both the USA Hockey National Team evaluation camp and USA Hockey National Women’s Festival. The Bobcats are going to need her if they look to bounce back after a disappointing 2017-2018 campaign.
Guelph: Claire Merrick
Merrick last season recorded 7 goals and 15 assists, good for third on the Gryphons with 22 points. Anybody on the Guelph team who finished with statistics better than Merrick were seniors who graduated. Expect her to lead the team in all categories this season.
Keys to the Game
Quinnipiac: Defense
The Bobcats last season were not a good scoring team. They averaged 1.8 goals per game last year. Bobcats goalie Abby Ives Played in 30 games, starting 29 of them, posted a 1.78 GAA, and had a .921 save percentage with 3 shut outs last season. With more scoring options that can get Quinnipiac back to their winning ways.
Guelph: Finding Players to Step Up
Guelph can score a lot. Last season they averaged 3.04 goals a game while averaging 29.6 shots per game. They did lose their two top scorers; however, everyone that is back should be able to step up. Their shots per game average was 10th in their conference, while the 73 goals scored last season by Guelph ranked 3rd in the OUA conference.
Make sure to tune in to QBSN’s live broadcast of Quinnipiac vs. Guelph from the Peoples United Center Arena in Hamden, Conn. For live updates throughout the game, make sure to follow @QBSN on twitter.
