A Jamie Bates power-play goal 1:20 into overtime sent fifth-seeded Quinnipiac to a 5-4 overtime win over Union in Game 2 of the ECACHL opening round at the TD Banknorth Sports Center on Saturday night, giving the Bobcats a sweep of the playoff series.
“It’s everyone’s dream to score the game winning goal in overtime,” said Bates. “It was awesome.”
Reid Cashman fired a shot from the point that sailed wide, and was picked up by Bryan Leitch, who fed Bates in front of the net for the game winner.
“The mood was upbeat in the locker room heading into overtime,” said Cashman. “Regroup yourself; work hard and good things will happen.”
The Dutchmen had scored two goals late in the third period to tie the game at 4. Josh Coyle, who missed Friday’s game due to a death in the family, scored both to send the game into overtime.
“I thought Coyle was up and down with three penalties and two goals,” said Union head coach Nate Leaman. We missed him last night a little bit.”
“Give Union a lot of credit being down two goals and battling back,” said Quinnipiac head coach Rand Pecknold.
Early on, the Dutchmen controlled play through the first 12 minutes of the game.
“We just didn’t finish our chances and missed the net on our best ones,” said Leaman.
Union (14-19-3) continued to control play by killing off a five-on-three power play, to help carry the momentum.
Quinnipiac (18-13-5) was assessed a penalty and Union pressured for the full two minutes but were unable to score. As the penalized player came out of the box, Lane Caffaro banged home a rebound with 2:26 remaining in the first period.
The Bobcats tied the game with their own power-play goal, by Cashman, whose shot from the point deflected off two players and into the back of the net.
The Bobcats added another power-play goal, this time by Matt Sorteberg, Cashman’s defensive linemate Leitch fed Cashman along the blue line, and Sorteberg rotated to the top of the right circle, received the pass and blasted it past Justin Mrazek.
As the period expired, penalties assessed to both teams led to Quinnipiac going a man down. The Dutchmen took advantage opportunity to start the third with a Chris Potts power-play goal. Matt Cook fed Potts, who wristed the shot past Fisher’s stick side.
The Bobcats took the lead back on Chris Myers’ even-strength goal. Cashman shot a puck that Myers got his stick on and sent past Mrazek. David Marshall was also credited with an assist.
Quinnipiac took a two-goal lead on Brandon Wong’s goal. From behind the net, Jean-Marc Beaudoin sent a pass in front, where Wong put the puck into the back of the net. Greg Holt also had an assist on the goal.
The Bobcats will travel to Ithaca, N.Y., to take on the Cornell Big Red next weekend.
“Cornell is the toughest rink in the league to play in,” said Cashman. “We need to be prepared and not intimidated.”
Cashman finished with four points on the night, with three assists to give him 35 on the season.
“He’s a big-time player and showed it with four points tonight,” said Pecknold.
