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Hockey is a funny game. Sometimes, even when there’s total domination in terms of puck possession and shots on goal, the scoreboard can tell an entirely different story. For the Quinnipiac men’s ice hockey team on Tuesday night, the shot counter after one period read 18-1, Bobcats.

The only number that the team really cared about though, was one.

Although the Bobcats thoroughly commanded the first period against the College of Holy Cross Crusaders, they only ended the frame up 1-0, thanks to a top-notch goaltending performance from Crusaders’ goaltender Tommy Nixon.

The shot counter from the second period onward read 25-17 in favor of Holy Cross. The only number that the Bobcats really cared about though, was three.

That’s how many goals they scored in the second and third period, which was more than enough to lead the Bobcats to a 4-1 win over the Crusaders.

Having such a dynamic first period topped by a great goaltending performance would throw off many teams. However, the Bobcats knew that hard work would manifest itself on the scoreboard over time.

“We try to not focus on being too frustrated,” winger Alex Whelan said. “Just trying to focus on continuing to work hard and doing what we do good. That’s what we focused on in between periods, and that’s when more goals came.”

Whelan played a big role in getting some of those goals. He scored the game-winning goal in the second period on a deflection, and assisted on William Fallstrom’s goal just five minutes later. Still, the real star of the game may have been defenseman Brandon Fortunato.

Fortunato came into the game having scored eight points in his last five games, and he added to that by scoring a power play goal in the second period. After being named the ECAC Hockey Player of the Week on Monday, Fortunato didn’t disappoint in his performance on Tuesday.

“He was the best player on the ice again tonight,” head coach Rand Pecknold said. “He was excellent… He’s so elusive and he makes such great decisions, such a high, elite hockey IQ.”

Thanks to the help of Fortunato, the Bobcats’ defense was the highlight of the game. The team blocked nine shots, killed off all three penalties it faced and didn’t allow many high-quality chances to the opposition. The one goal that Holy Cross scored came off of an errant pass behind the net from Quinnipiac goalie Andrew Shortridge, who otherwise played a solid game between the pipes, earning his 10^th win of the season.

“I feel as a team, we’re really gelling,” Shortridge said. “Personally, I feel like I’m doing pretty well to do my job, to stop the puck and give the guys some confidence to do their jobs. Overall, I feel as a team we’re really hitting our stride here.”

The Bobcats will have time to build on the successes from Tuesday night’s victory. They won’t play again for nine days, a quick rest before finishing up their season with 10 straight ECAC Hockey games. Quinnipiac’s next action will come on the road against Clarkson, a team just one point behind the Bobcats in the conference standings. Still, Whelan and company won’t let the break in the schedule damper the team’s chemistry.

“I think we’re all in pretty good spirits.” Whelan said. “We’re all excited for this upcoming grind. We have a good opportunity here to do some pretty special things, so I think it’s important for all of us to stay excited.”

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