By David F. Pendrys

HAMDEN, CT- The Princeton Tigers surprised the masses this weekend sweeping Quinnipiac in a home and home series. They picked up the second win at TD Bank Sports Center defeating the Bobcats 4-1. Princeton’s Max Veronneau struck first skating to the side of QU’s net and sending in the puck perpendicular to goaltender Chris Truehl. The puck found the back of the net anyway off some sort of deflection at 3:20.

Much later in the period Josh Teves of Princeton sent the puck sailing at the net but it bounced around the back and right to Ryan Kuffner who lurked in front. With Truehl drawn to the other side Kuffner was able to knocked it in for a 2-0 lead. Veronneau also picked up an assist.

At the start of the second, QU Coach Rand Pecknold decided to deploy Andrew Shortridge into the net for the rest of the game in relief of Truehl. Kevin Duane got the Bobcats on the board at 00:24 in the period when he was able to break away from the Tigers defense and defeat Colton Phinney one on one. Assists went to Bo Pieper, and Landon Smith. That would be the only goal Phinney allowed however. A period later at 2:02 Max Becker scored assisted by Jackson Cressey who had stolen the puck from a QU player behind the net and fed Becker it from behind the net perfectly.

Late in the game, Shortridge headed for the bench, but Veronneau set up a shot from the neutral zone right in onto the empty net to dig the dagger into the Bobcats hopes.

The Bobcats did not lack opportunities, often setting up shots, which either went awry or were saved by the veteran Princeton keeper, but the result was still only the one goal for their side. Phinney ended the day with 33 saves on the 34 shots he faced. Truehl saved 7 of the 9 shots he faced and Shortridge saved 16 of 17 shots.

Veronneau led Princeton with 5 shots, David Hallisey had 4, and Liam Grande and Becker had 3 as well. Connor Clifton led Quinnipiac with 5 shots. Karlis Cukste and Tim Clifton had 4, and Craig Martin had 3.

With the win Princeton rises to 5-7-1 and 3-6-1 in the ECAC. QU drops to 10-7-2 and 6-4-1 in the ECAC.

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