By David F. Pendrys (Eyewitness account verified against official box score.)

HAMDEN, CT- The Quinnipiac Bobcats won the right to advance in the ECAC tournament Sunday by earning a 3-1 victory over Union College and winning their tournament series 2 to 1. In the first the action was back and forth with each team getting good opportunities. It wasn’t until the very end of the period though that Soren Jonzzon smacked it past Union’s Colin Stevens. Landon Smith and Matthew Peca had the assists setting up Jonzzon with the shot from beyond the face off circle in the defensive zone.

In the second period QU’s Alex Barron got it through the goaltender’s pads but the puck ended up just wide of the net. Not long after though Landon Smith swept in and held onto the puck despite numerous defenders picking at him. He fed it to Jonzzon who at 4:10 dispatched it into the net for a 2-0 QU lead. Union responded 3 minutes later though as a shot flew of Quinnipiac goalie Michael Garteig and Matt Wilkins pounced on it sliding across the goal mouth and knocking it into a gap. Assists went to Charlie Vasaturo & Mike Vecchione (originally Spencer Foo got credit.)

With 11 to play in the period Nick Cruice of Union swiftly skated in on Garteig and got a great opportunity but the keeper reached up with his glove and caught it wowing the crowd. Quinnipiac went on the attack and went at Stevens, but he gloved a shot to his left to rob the Bobcats of a chance as well. This pattern would continue into the third period as both tenders stuffed their opposition. Penalties were not much of a factor in the game. In the third Union lost critical minutes when Jeff Taylor went into the box for roughing at 16:04, but they didn’t give up any more goals. Quinnipiac’s Andrew Taverner was sent to the box for hooking at 18:24 though giving Union the rest of the third period on the power play. They pulled Stevens for a 6 to 4 advantage, but one minute later Peca made them pay for it receiving a pass on a break through and launching it into the open net assisted by Travis St. Denis & Derek Smith. At 19:23. Union attempted a miracle with the remaining time but was held scoreless despite the 6 on 4.

Union actually had 38 shots on the day, but Garteig saved 37 of them. Quinnipiac had 25 shots, and Stevens saved 22 of them. Quinnipiac heads to Lake Placid for the rest of the ECAC tournament.