The Quinnipiac Bobcats (9-4-0) (3-4-0 ECAC Hockey) successfully closed out their three game weekend series with St. Lawrence (1-4-0) (1-4-0 ECAC Hockey) on Monday with a gutsy 1-0 victory to extend their winning streak to two straight games. 

The win gave the Bobcats the rubber match in the best-of-three season series between the two teams, following a 4-1 loss and a 5-3 win on Saturday and Sunday respectively against the Saints.

“I really like 1-0 hockey games more than 5-3 hockey games, so that tells you how we feel about today,” head coach Cass Turner said. “I really like how we played defensively. We valued making smart plays differently today than we did in the first two games and that’s where we need to be right now.” 

Here’s what stood out on the ice in the Bobcats’ 1-0 win:   

1. Gritty defensive play and puck possession gets the job done for QU

Unlike their previous two meetings with the Saints, Monday’s game was a low-scoring and defensively-minded affair, which benefited QU’s shutdown style of gameplay.

Quinnipiac focused on keeping pucks away from St. Lawrence’s top goal scorers by maintaining possession while taking the body in front of the net. The Bobcats were composed and locked-in, taking the series.

“We really wanted to look at today as if we were playing a playoff series, as if you’re in a best two out of three and this is Game Three,” Turner said. “We wanted to be disciplined in those little things and be there for each other.”

Monday’s game saw strong performances from the emerging defensive core of Maddy Samoskevich, Kate Reilly, Alexa Hoskin and Kendall Cooper, who played key roles on both ends of the ice. Collectively, the Bobcats dominated the scoresheet, registering 11 blocked shots and 37 total shots on goal.

“Our [defensemen] are not afraid to get into the rush, that’s for sure,” Turner said. “I think it’s confidence in everyone. Hockey is different then it used to be, and you need your [defense] being really active offensively. They need to be skilled with the puck and they need to have great shots.”

2. Taylor Girard is on an offensive hot streak

Senior forward Taylor Girard is rolling, and other teams can’t stop her. She has two goals and four assists in her last four games played.

Quinnipiac’s game-winning tally came off the stick of Girard, who was able to capitalize off a St. Lawrence turnover late in the second period and send the puck top-shelf over Saints netminder Lucy Morgan’s blocker.  The unassisted goal was Girard’s fifth of the season, extending her point streak to four consecutive games.

“As soon as that puck got on my stick, I was like ‘that’s kind of my corner,’” Girard said. “I shot, and luckily it went in.”

Girard’s performance continues a stretch of offensive dominance for the senior forward, who just celebrated her 100th NCAA game played in yesterday’s 5-3 victory for the Bobcats. 

3. Don’t forget about Catie Boudiette

How’s that for your first-ever ECAC Hockey start?

After making five previous appearances this season, first-year Bobcats netminder Catie Boudiette recorded her first career conference start, win and shutout by turning away all 15 of the Saints’ shots on goal. 

Boudiette has three straight shutout performances for the Bobcats, dating back to two wins over LIU on January 16 and 17.

“I think it’s all of my teammates pushing me in practice,” Boudiette said. “[They are] always giving me confidence no matter what, and are pushing for me to be better every day.”

Boudiette has been a metaphorical brick wall for Quinnipiac all season long when she’s been in net, as she still has not allowed a single goal in 237 minutes and 46 seconds of play. Her coach has noticed.

“She has that about her game – she has good confidence and composure in the net,” Turner said. “I think the team wanted to play well for her today to make sure she had some success, and it’s always nice to see that when a team steps up for a goalie for her first big start.”

Up next, Quinnipiac will hit the road to take on #9 Clarkson for two games in Potsdam, NY, beginning on February 19, with puck drop set for 5 p.m.