Men's hockey ties in aggressive ECAC game

Men's hockey ties in aggressive ECAC game
By Angelique Fiske, QBSN Web Editor 

Courtesy: quinnipiacbobcats.com

In a physically aggressive overtime contest, the Quinnipiac men’s hockey team (7-3-2) settled for a 1-1 draw against Clarkson (6-2-3).  The low-scoring game saw a combined 20 penalties, nine given to the Bobcats and 11 to the Golden Knights.

A Clarkson boarding penalty in the 14^th minute of the first period worked out well for Quinnipiac.  Junior Jeremy Langlois (Tempe, Ariz.) took a quick pass from senior captain Scott Zurevinski (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan) and slapped it into the left corner, past Clarkson keeper Paul Karpowich.  The goal gives Langlois a team high of 10 on the season and six on the power play. 

Freshman Matthew Peca (Petawawa, Ontario) was also credited with the assist on Quinnipiac’s lone goal.  This is makes for the 11^th straight game in which Peca has contributed at least one point, putting him on the verge of tying the rookie record of 12 consecutive games currently held by Ben Nelson.

“I guess it’s always in the back of your mind when you go into games like that, but I don’t think it’s as much pressure as it is excitement,” Peca said.  “I just try and use that to play the best I could.”

Peca had opportunities to add to his point total, according to head coach Rand Pecknold.

“He just gets better and better every week.  He’s one of our better players on the ice,” Pecknold said.  “I’m sure he would like to have a few of those chances back offensively, but he played real well.”

After the Golden Knights tied up the game with a second period goal from Adam Pawlick, the Bobcats surged on an offensive attack, knocking a game total of 44 shots.  Clarkson managed only 11 and was not able to make a single shot in the five minute overtime period.

“I thought we played well tonight,” Pecknold said.  “Certainly the shots indicate that.  I think we’re disappointed we only got a point, but we played well.  Part of hockey is sometimes the goalie steals a point; Karpowich stole a point for his team tonight.”

In spite of the hard fought battle and the use of a lot of energy, “more than we probably wanted to,” according to Pecknold, the Bobcats still must prepare to take on yet another ECAC opponent Saturday afternoon. 

The Bobcats play host to the St. Lawrence University at 4 p.m. at High Point Solutions Arena at the TD Bank Sports Center on Saturday.