By David F.P. [Modest Image Gallery]

STORRS, CT- In the opening game of the Nutmeg Classic, the host UConn Huskies took on Quinnipiac Bobcats. In goal for UConn, Alexandra Garcia and for Quinnipiac, Victoria Vigilanti.

QU took a 1 goal lead early on thanks to a goal from Amanda Colin, there was only three penalties in the entire time including one on QU’s Brittany Lyons for tripping, however UConn could not capitalize on the power play. The period ended with a one goal advantage for Quinnipiac who also had taken 13 shots to UConn’s 7.

In period 2, UConn got on the board at 4:14 when Jocelyn Slattery unassisted swept in ahead of the UConn D and outmaneuvers Vigilanti in a 1 on 1 confrontation. The Bobcats stormed back and came up with multiple shots in the UConn zone, after a rebound, Breann Frykas took it and knocked it over Garcia’s shoulder at 9:35, assisted by Jordan Elkins and Lyons.

No scoring would follow until 19:57 in the period, UConn was positioning themselves down in the QU zone, Sami Evelyn was at an absurd angle to the net to the goal keeper’s left and she shot it anyway, next thing it was in the net, clearly some sort of ricochet occurred. She was assisted by Emily Snodgrass on the unexpected goal. The period ended with a 2-2 tie, Quinnipiac had taken 25 shots and UConn 20 so far.

In period 3 14 minutes passed before Erica Uden Johansson took advantage of a Quinnipiac swarm in the zone and took a shot at close range, assisted by Kelly Babstock and Regan Boulton. QU now had the lead but at 18:14, Lyons was called for tripping.

Quinnipiac was now on the other end of the exact situation they had benefited from on Tuesday night, UConn, had the rest of the period on the power play, giving them also the ability to pull the goalie for a 6 on 4 attack. UConn went on the attack, Garcia was pulled, but with the seconds ticking down, Nicole Kosta broke away from the QU zone and brought the puck in towards the empty net knocking it in carefully and icing the game for the Bobcats.

Quinnipiac rises to 8-7-1 on the season after two non conference victories this week, and UConn drops to 2-12-2. QU also goes on to face the winner of Yale vs. RMU in the Nutmeg Classic championship. The total shots on goal was 35 for Quinnipiac and 26 for Connecticut. Vigilanti saved 24 for QU, and Garcia saved 31 UC in the effort.

(Based on eyewitness reports checked against official box score.)