"Hockey Night" crew picks first half superlatives, pt. 1

“Hockey Night” crew picks first half superlatives, pt. 1

By Mark Spillane and Giovanni Mio

Men’s Ice Hockey

Most Valuable Player: Jeremy Langlois

MS -  Langlois is the team’s MVP thus far in my opinion, and here’s why: the junior from Tempe, Arizona leads the team with 12 goals, which ranks second in the ECAC. He also leads the team with 19 points, which has been good enough for third in the conference. When he really excels is on the power play. With the man advantage, Langlois has scored a conference leading six times, and has even added two game winners to his stat sheet this year. He does an outstanding job playing the center position on the first line, despite having several different line-mates due to injuries. His production has clearly bolstered the team as he has tallied 14 points in the 10 Bobcat wins that he has played in.

Breakout Player of the First Half: Matthew Peca

MS - The Quinnipiac breakout player of the year has to be freshman forward Matthew Peca. Peca did not come into Quinnipiac as an unknown freshman by any means. In fact, Peca had shown his prowess before by recording nearly a point-per-game for the Pembroke Lumber Kings of the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) with 119 points in 120 games. Peca used his abilities to lead Pembroke to a 51-9-0 record and the 2011 National Championship. This year he has provided a tremendous spark for the Bobcats by tallying four goals and 11 assists in 19 games played. In the absence of the Jones twins, Peca excelled by scoring a goal and two assists in three games, helping lead the Bobcats to three victories.

Player to Watch: Scott Zurevinski

MS - The player to watch for the remainder of the Quinnipiac men’s ice hockey season is senior captain Scott Zurevinski. Zurevinski has scored just four goals this season after scoring 16 his sophomore year, and 14 his junior year. The slow goal scoring start has not affected his other play, as he has still contributed 11 assists, which is second on the team and tied for fourth in the ECAC. However, lately the captain has begun to show some extra life. He has recorded five points within the last four contests, including goals in two of the last three. His strong play of late has him primed for a strong season ending run, and he should be a force until season’s end.

Most Valuable Player: Jeremy Langlois

GM - I’m big when it comes to goals, and Langlois has been the most productive so far. He leads the team with 12 goals on the season along with 19 points. Although he hasn’t produced in the last few games, Langlois has been the key player to go to in the opposing zone.

Breakout Player of the First Half: Eric Hartzell

GM - I say Hartzell has been the surprise player this half because of his production this season. At the beginning of the year, head coach Rand Pecknold had to pick between Hartzell and Dan Clarke. Once Pecknold picked Hartzell, he’s been the first goalie ever since. Along with winning the most creative goalie mask contest, Hartzell has been mainly lights out, allowing less than two goals a game. He has helped the Bobcats keep a tight record of 8-1-2 at home.

Player to Watch: Scott Zurevinski

GM - Last season Zurevinski had 14 goals and was a very productive player. This year, the captain hasn’t put up impressive numbers at this point. He’s played in all 20 games, but only has scored four goals so far. Zurevinski recently broke a point streak and goal streak, so I’m expecting him to go nuts to end the season.

Women’s Ice Hockey

 Most Valuable Player: Kelly Babstock

MS - Kelly Babstock is the clear and obvious choice for this award. She is easily the team’s most talented player and has shown it by leading the Bobcats with 11 goals and 13 assists. Those numbers are good enough for 24 points, which ranks third in the entire ECAC.

Breakout Player of the First Half: Nicole Kosta

MS - The breakout player has to be freshman forward Nicole Kosta. The Mississauga, Ontario native has burst onto the scene this year with 13 assists, tying her with Babstock for the team-lead; she also leads the team with a plus/minus of +9. Coming into Quinnipiac as a former member of the Canadian U-18 team, the expectations were there, and she exceeded them.

Player to Watch: Breann Frykas

MS - Speaking of expectations, the player to watch, in my opinion, for the remainder of the season is junior forward, Breann Frykas. Frykas came into this season as a transfer from the University of Wisconsin, last year’s NCAA national champions, with a lot of high hopes from the Quinnipiac women’s ice hockey community. After a relatively slow start, Frykas has begun to turn it on by recording a point in six of the Bobcats’ last seven games, all victories. That kind of production from Frykas combined with the likes of Kosta and Babstock will make the Bobcats incredibly tough to beat come tournament time.

Most Valuable Player: Kelly Babstock

GM - This is almost unanimous. If Kelly Babstock wasn’t on the Bobcats women’s ice hockey team, the team would be seventh in the conference at best. She leads the Bobcats with 11 goals, 13 assists, and 24 points. As a matter of fact, she’s the all-time leading scorer in the Quinnipiac program as a SOPHOMORE. You can tell she’s the leader by the way she demands the puck and how she plays.

Breakout Player of First Half: Chelsea Laden

GM - When Victoria Vigilanti starts to have a bad game, Coach Rick Seeley has an option in Laden. In her performances so far this season, the freshman has a 2-1-0 record with a .917 save percentage, higher than Vigilanti. It’s a pleasant surprise indeed.

Player to Watch: Breann Frykas

GM - Coming from Wisconsin, I expect Frykas to start to perform a lot better with the chemistry. She’s only had six goals and five assists, but give it time and you’ll see the Frykas we’re expecting. Only 18 years old and on the U-18 National team, Babstock and Frykas will be a force come playoff time.