Photo courtesy Quinnipiac Athletics
By Andrew Weiss
This past weekend, Quinnipiac played host to Mercyhurst as the teams hit the ice for the first games of the season.
In the first game, the Bobcats skated out to a 2-0 lead before settling for a 3-3 tie after the Lakers tied it up with 24.6 seconds left in regulation.
In the second game, the teams battled all game long before the Bobcats won 2-1. Meghan Turner’s second-period-goal held up as the game winner.
Below are my three thoughts from the weekend:
1. A Fresh Start for the Bobcats
With a lot of old faces gone for Quinnipiac, the main concern was continuing last season’s success. Quinnipiac finished 2014-2015 with a first-round loss to Harvard in the NCAA Tournament. But it had its best season in program history with a final record of 26-9-3 and a 15-5-2 conference record. Its 26 wins are a program record. However, star goaltender Chelsea Laden and three other seniors graduated. Laden was the biggest candle on last season’s cake, setting a single-season school record with 16 shutouts, second in NCAA Division I history. Cassandra Turner takes over for Rick Seeley after serving as an assistant on his staff for the past seven years. She’s the fourth head coach in Quinnipiac’s 15-year history. In net this season is junior Sydney Rossman. Entering the season with a 4-0-1 career record, Rossman finished the weekend 1-0-1. Although both Turner and Rossman are in starting positions, the expectations for Quinnipiac remain high.
Andrew’s Call: The only things that the Bobcats want to change from last year are two things: the final result of their season, and their brand new gold jerseys. With a 1-0-1 weekend against strong competition, there is no reason to doubt the new Bobcats yet.
Notable quote from head coach Cassandra Turner: “Any win is a good win!”
2. Special Teams is a Focus
Quinnipiac had one of the best penalty kill units in the nation last season. Its 4.2 penalty minutes per game and 162 total penalty minutes were lowest in NCAA Division I history, and its 89.5 penalty-kill percentage was sixth in the country. This season, the Bobcats have continued their penalty-kill reign, only allowing one power play goal. They killed off a five-minute penalty late in the game on Saturday to stay ahead by one goal. They looked ferocious on the forecheck and finished with almost as many shots on the penalty-kill as they gave up.
However, the Bobcats’ power play last season was average. They converted only 17 percent of their power play chances putting them 20th in the country out of 40 teams. Through the first weekend of play, the Bobcats have yet to score on a power play chance, but their power play was potent. The mantra for Quinnipiac this season has been getting four chances on every power play, and they may be getting even more. If not for the ironwork behind Mercyhurst goaltenders this weekend, there would be Quinnipiac power play goals.
Andrew’s Call: The penalty kill may take a small step back if only because of its increase in penalty calls. That being said, Quinnipiac should remain top 10 nationally and will continue to frustrate opposing power play units. Meanwhile, their power play will take a step in the right direction, finishing above average with over a 20 percent success rate. Look for sophomore Taylor “TT” Cianfarano to be a star on both special team units.
Notable quote from goalie Sydney Rossman: “One of the things we focus on is our penalty kill. Being strong, blocking shots, picking up sticks. We always get more fired up when we’re on the [penalty kill].”
3. The “Golden Trifecta” is the scariest line in women’s college hockey
Quinnipiac’s second line had an amazing weekend, with Cianfarano (one goal and two assists) and Emma Woods (two goals) leading the way. Their linemate, freshman Melissa “Samo” Samoskevich combined to score four of the Bobcats five goals over the weekend. Samoskevich’s assist was a blue line to blue line pass to lead Cianfarano on a breakaway, who scored after a forehand-backhand dangle. Cianfarano had two assists on Friday night, one to Woods off of a face-off.
Andrew’s Call: The “Tampa Triplets” in the NHL have a women’s college hockey version: Cianfarano, Woods, Samoskevich. I am going to name them the “Golden Trifecta” as they looked very good on both sides of the ice, with a relentless forecheck and smart playmaking. Cianfarano led the Bobcats in scoring last season with 30 points; expect her and her linemates to combine for over 80 points this season. Look out ECAC women’s hockey, the Golden Trifecta is on the horizon.
Notable quote from head coach Cassandra Turner: “There is no question they have a lot of offensive talent and skill. That pass that Samoskevich made to Cianfarano for the goal [was] a great look. They have an ability to create offense in opportunities where you think ‘maybe it won’t be able to happen’ and I think that’s what we’re going to want from them. We’re going to want them to be our line that can really create chances every time they’re out on the ice. That will be our expectation.”
Final say
Not everything for the Bobcats has been rainbows and sunshines. The defense has looked rusty at times and face-off wins have been a struggle. That said, there are many more positives than negatives. Another NCAA Tournament birth is a possibility behind Rossman and Turner, and an ECAC title may be in reach behind the strength of the Golden Trifecta.
