After coming off a two-game sweep over Sacred Heart, the Quinnipiac Bobcats (2-1-0, 0-0-0 ECAC Hockey) looked to extend its winning streak as they welcomed an unfamiliar opponent, the No. 13 Bowling Green Falcons (7-1-0, 0-0-0 WCHA), to the Peoples United Center Friday night.

Despite each program having played over 1,300 games in their program histories, Friday marked the first time that they met each other on the same ice. And Bowling Green was ready for it.

The Falcons came into Hamden to win and the Bobcats couldn’t seem to handle their power, speed, and defensive wall.

Here are three takeaways from Quinnipiac’s Friday night loss to Bowling Green.

Bowling Green Was Not Sacred Heart

The Falcons dominated Quinnipiac, peppering senior goalie Keith Petruzzelli with 32 shots on goal.  Bowling Green’s first goal came through junior forward Alex Barber on a power play at 14:19 in the first period, giving them an early 1-0 lead. The Bobcats struggled to gain control of the puck, allowing Bowling Green to anticipate the plays. With less than a minute remaining in the first period, Bowling Green’s Taylor Schneider scored on a power play giving the Falcons a 2-0 lead heading into the second period.

The Bobcats couldn’t seem to keep up with the Falcons pace, serving 12 penalty minutes on 6 minor infractions. The Bobcats were forced to pull Petruzzelli twice in the third period, which led to two empty net goals by the Falcons. Nick Bochen’s goal at 14:57 in the third period gave the Bobcats their only score of the night, but the momentum came too late. One week after dominating in-state rival Sacred Heart for 120 minutes, Quinnipiac were unprepared for the power and pace of the ranked Falcons.

Weak Power Play Game

Quinnipiac could not capitalize on their seven power plays. The Falcons defensive unit consistently stifled the Bobcats’ attempts at scoring despite Quinnipiac winning 36 faceoffs, the majority by Sophomore Skyler Brind’Amour.

If the Bobcats could have stepped up their power play game, perhaps the opportunity to score would have been presented. Falcons goalie Zach Rose faced only 24 shots on goal, bolstering the strong defense already on the ice for the Falcons. If the Bobcats want any chance at flipping the script on Saturday, perhaps the best way to do it will be by converting on the power play.

New Faces On The Ice

Vermont transfer Joey Cipollone saw the ice for the first time as a Bobcat, registering 2 shots on goal.  Ty Smilanic, Nick Bochen and CJ McGee all looked a bit lost on the ice. Nine different Bobcats scored in their first game against Sacred Heart including Matthew Fawcett, Nick Bochen and Zach Metsa – so what happened on Friday? That is the question the Bobcats need to figure out before they face Bowling Green again.

After the loss, Rand Pecknold said, “We didn’t have the puck, we had to fight to get it back. Bowling Green was into it. It was a big game, they showed up for it and we didn’t. It’s disappointing but were happy we get to play them again tomorrow night and try to be better.”

Luckily for Pecknold, his Bobcats get a second crack at it tonight as they take on the Falcons in the second game of a two-game set in Hamden. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. from the People’s United Center.