Rand Pecknold’s revamped roster has passed the eye test three games in. After opening the season 3-0, the Bobcats’ look like a legitimate threat. Who’s been integral to the team’s success so far?

Quinnipiac has looked impressive in its 3-0 start, defeating the likes of Vermont, UConn and then-ranked No. 18 Boston College. So impressive, that it’s earned the 20th spot on the latest USCHO.com poll.

It comes as a significant achievement, as it’s the team’s first ranking this season. Rand Pecknold and players will tell you they try not to think about rankings often, but make no mistake. This ranking is big. His bunch has looked like the real deal, and there’s a few reasons why.
Perhaps most importantly, Keith Petruzzelli has been a force. His 1.34 GAA is best in the ECAC, by a good amount. The second best spot belongs to Darion Hanson of Union with a distant 1.99 mark. Petruzzelli’s GAA is also tied for 13th-best in the country. In other words, he’s been dominant, and has certainly shown why he is such a highly-touted prospect.

His most impressive showing came against the best competition the Bobcats have seen this season; Boston College. Don’t forget, this is the home of the No. 11 overall pick in last year’s NHL Entry Draft, Oliver Wahlstrom. After tallying five goals against a talented Wisconsin team, the Eagles were limited to 21 shots and zero scores against Petruzzelli & Co. The performance definitely boosted his save percentage (.931), which currently sits 22nd in the country.

“He’s been working hard with our goalie coach, Jared Waimon,” head coach Rand Pecknold said after the team’s win over BC. “I think the maturity, it’s a natural progression for him.”

If Petruzzelli keeps this rolling, the Bobcats will be tough to beat. But he’s only one part of the puzzle. The steady play of veteran…

…Chase Priskie has been integral to the team’s success. His two goals are tied with Odeen Tufto and freshman William Fällström for the team lead. His first goal of the year was a game-tying one-timer that allowed the Bobcats to defeat Vermont 3-2 on the road. Against a stout Boston College defense, he tallied the team’s lone score of the game. He’s the leader in shots (11) and has scored the Bobcats’ only power play goal in 11 chances.

After tallying a career-high 101 shots on goal last season, the captain looks well on pace to surpass that mark. It’s become clear that he’s the team’s unquestioned leader in the locker room, too.

“We were tired of losing [last season],” Priskie said after being asked about the team’s improved performance this season. “It wasn’t acceptable. We don’t have a losing culture. We came together and established our standard of excellence.”

In terms of overall impact, rookie William Fällström has been equally impressive. The Sweden native has had a fast start to his collegiate career. He tallied two goals (one on an empty net) in the team’s 4-2 win over UConn. He assisted fellow freshman, Wyatt Bongiovanni, on a goal in the third period against Vermont, tying the game at one.

In 58 games last season with the USHL’s Fargo Force, Fälström tallied 45 points on 14 goals and 31 assists. Keep an eye out for him as he sees more ice.

Honorable Mention

• The top line of Wyatt Bongiovanni, Odeen Tufto and Ethan De Jong has the chance to special. The three underclassmen have combined for three goals and two assists through three games. All three are highly-skilled forwards, and all of them catching fire at once seems inevitable.

• Head coach Rand Pecknold and his staff have pushed all the right buttons…so far. After reconstructing the roster in the offseason, Pecknold appears to have found a handful of successful combinations. Aside from sticking with Petruzzelli and choosing the right lines, his decision to give Craig Martin more ice time has payed off (three assists), too.