NEW HAVEN, Conn — The Quinnipiac women’s ice hockey team opened up ECAC Hockey conference play on Friday with a 3-1 win over the Yale Bulldogs, extending the team’s undefeated record to 9-0. This is the team’s best start to a season since 2022-23.
The game saw first-year forward Jade Barbirati’s return to the lineup, with her last game played on Oct. 3 against the Providence Friars, as well as Felicia Frank’s seventh consecutive start in goal, where she recorded 25 saves.
“She’s just got an edge,” head coach Cass Turner said regarding Frank’s play this season, “She’s very consistent day to day with how she prepares and I think that’s why she’s playing so consistently in games”
After a quiet first period, Quinnipiac headed out for the second with hunger and controlled play for a majority of the frame, even with only two goals being scored.
“We were really working hard to get to the net and have as much traffic as we could,” said Coach Turner regarding the message to her team between periods.
Despite the 3-1 win, this game was the first since the team’s season opener against Maine on September 26th without a point from Kahlen Lamarche. Last weekend against the Northeastern Huskies, the junior scored seven of the Bobcats’ nine goals across the two-game series. Lamarche is tied for first in the nation in points with 19, but without her contributions, other players needed to step up.
With a goal from Taylor Brueske, her first of the season and second of her career, and a goal from third liner Bryn Prier, the depth of the Bobcats was highlighted.
“It was nice to see that depth in our attack,” Coach Turner said, “We’ve seen it before, and we know we have it.”
“Getting those goals from those fourth liners, it hypes up all of the other lines,” junior forward Kahlen Lamarche said, “when they put in that work and we see that reward, it just fires everyone up.”
The significance of the team’s nine-game winning streak is not lost on them, and it’s safe to say the vibes are high in the locker room.
“They’ve got a bond. They’ve got a connection,” Coach Turner said, “I’ve heard a few people say ‘I haven’t had this much fun playing hockey,’ and winning is fun.”
This feeling is a mutual one between the coaching staff and players alike.
“Winning is just so fun,” Lamarche said, “I think when you have a group that loves winning and we find a way to win every night… that’s huge.”
The Bobcats will look to extend the winning streak to double digits, matching the program record, as they continue ECAC Hockey play on Saturday, Oct. 25, as they head to Providence to take on the Brown Bears at 3 p.m.
