No. 8 Quinnipiac upsets No. 1 Massachusetts 4-0, Andrew Shortridge records 32 saves

Photo Courtesy: Liz Flynn

M.J. Baird, Sports Director
December 7, 2018

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HIGHLIGHTS:

The No. 1 University of Massachusetts Minutemen entered Friday night scoring the second most goals per game in the country (4.08) and were yet to be shutout in a game this season. That all changed after a magical 32 save shutout by Quinnipiac goalie Andrew Shortridge, his third shutout in just his sixth game played this season. The No. 8 Quinnipiac Bobcats fed off Shortridge’s performance in a 4-0 win to start the home and home series.

“That was the best game I’ve ever seen (Shortridge) play,” Quinnipiac senior Craig Martin said. “That was incredible. (It was) probably the best game I’ve ever seen a goalie play.”

The Minutemen entered Friday night as the top ranked team in the nation for the first time in program history. After Friday’s loss, Massachusetts head coach Greg Carvel paid respect to the Bobcats.

“I was scared to death of this team,” Carvel said. “I’m actually glad we lost, so that we can get past this number one thing and get back to being hockey players.”

One Bobcat that opposing goalies should currently be scared to death of is Martin. After a two-goal performance in Quinnipiac’s last outing, Martin repeated on Friday for another two goals with both coming in the third period. Quinnipiac head coach Rand Pecknold said after Martin “dipped a little bit last year” he’s happy with how he’s been playing this season.

Before Martin found the back of the net, Quinnipiac’s freshmen forwards gave their team a 2-0 lead after two periods. Wyatt Bongiovanni scored his seventh goal of the season just 42 seconds after the opening face off. Zach Metsa added to the Bobcats’ lead midway through the second period, and they never looked back.

“We’ve got a million freshmen out there, so if they’re not scoring, we’re in trouble,” Pecknold said. “It’s been a great class so far and they keep working well.”

With the win, Pecknold sits at 499 career wins across his 25 seasons in Hamden. He will get the chance to reach 500 when the two teams rematch Saturday night at Mullins Center in Amherst, Massachusetts.

Postgame anlaysis