Late Surge Lifts Bobcats

Three late third period goals helped propel the Quinnipiac University Bobcats to a 5-2 victory over the Harvard Crimson in ECAC Hockey action Friday night at the TD Banknorth Sports Center.

The Bobcats regained the lead for good on Jean-Marc Beaudoin’s second goal of the game. Behind the net, Beaudoin came around and banged the puck between the pads of Harvard’s Matt Hoyle and into the back of the net. Beaudoin was able to get Hoyle to look in the opposite direction and poke the puck in with 3:26 remaining.

David Marshall tallied a breakaway goal 38 seconds later to extend the lead to two goals, while Bryan Leitch added an empty-net goal.

“I thought we were a little flat [in the first],” said Quinnipiac Head Coach Rand Pecknold. “I thought the guys we ready to play and we played gritty and hard in the second. That’s a really good hockey team [Harvard].”

After capturing the UConn Hockey Classic Championship earlier in the week, the Bobcats looked continue the winning ways heading into the new year.

With the two squads only separated by one point in the standings, the two points were important as the season continues.

Quinnipiac got on the board first at 11:05 with Beaudoin’s fifth goal of the season on the power play.

Spencer Heichman sent a pass to Beaudoin who then fed Lampe for a give and go to spring a two on one opportunity. Beaudoin came in and stuffed the puck through the five hole of Harvard’s Matt Hoyle for the one goal lead.

“The second period was great, one of the best periods we had all year,” said Pecknold. “We’re fortunate to get two points tonight.”

Harvard scored less than three minutes later on a tip in goal by Nick Coskren. Matt McCollem behind the goal line sent a pass along the boards to Alex Biega for a one timer. On the shot, Coskren deflected the puck between the legs of Quinnipiac’s Bud Fisher to tie the score at one.

Midway through the second period the Bobcats went on a two-man advantage. The Bobcat top offensive unit took to the ice and capitalized on the chance. As the first penalty was expiring, Dan Henningson dumped the puck in the zone and Marshall picked it up behind the net. He came out and fed an open Leitch for the one timer goal top shelf past Harvard’s Matt Hoyle to make it 2-1.

Harvard tied the score at two at 15:09 of the third on Biega’s rebound goal. Daniel Moriarty entered the zone and ripped a shot from the right circle. Fisher made the initial pad save but kicked it into the slot where Biega trailed the play and banged home the puck.

Fisher made 21 saves in the winning effort, while Hoyle made 31 in the loss.

Quinnipiac is now 3-5-2 all time versus Harvard. The Bobcats will play their fourth game in six nights tomorrow as they host Dartmouth, while Harvard travels to take on Princeton.