Wong. Wong. Wong.
That’s what was being chanted as the final horn sounded at the Northford Ice Pavilion Friday night, as the Quinnipiac Bobcats defeated the Colgate Raiders 3-1.
Brandon Wong had a part in all three goals, in the win for the Bobcats and played stellar defense late to preserve the win.
“He has really emerged as a good defensive center,” said Quinnipiac head coach Rand Pecknold. “He’s a good penalty killer and is becoming a great player.”
In the first period Quinnipiac dominated the flow of the game recording 20 shots on net to Colgate’s six. Raiders’ goaltender Mark Dekanich kept the game scoreless, aggravating the Bobcats with many clutch saves to preserve the score.
“It’s a little frustrating, but we put twenty shots on net,” said Pecknold.
The Bobcat’s started the scoring with a Ben Nelson goal. As a Quinnipiac penalty was expiring, Wong picked up a loose puck in the neutral zone and skated into Raiders territory. He ripped the puck on net, and the rebound popped out onto Nelson stick, who lit the lamp for the 1-0 lead.
Quinnipiac after the second period was out shooting Colgate 34-12.
The Bobcats took a two goal lead midway through the second period on the power play. It was David Marshall who put the puck in past Dekanich on the doorstep. Again, it was Wong who set up the goal sending a cross ice pass to Travis in the slot. The initial shot was saved and Marshall banged home the rebound.
With just under one minute remaining in the final period, Colgate pulled Dekanich for the extra attacker and it paid off. Jesse Winchester cut the lead in half when he Tyler Burton hooked up for the goal with just thirty-seven seconds remaining in the game, ending Quinnipiac’s Bud Fisher hopes for the shutout.
“He had a good game and made big saves when needed,” said Pecknold.
Wong ended the hopes of Colgate tying the game up with an empty netter goal, with assists to Reid Cashman and Jamie Bates.
“We kept working hard and goals would come,” said Wong. “It came and we got three goals.”
Wong now leads the ECAC in points per game and goals in conference play.
The Bobcats went one for seven on the power play while Colgate was zero for eight. Fisher made 26 saves in the win, while his counterpart, Dekanich, made 38.
Quinnipiac hosts Cornell Saturday night, while Colgate travels to take on Princeton.
