By: Kenny Kaminsky | Follow me on X / Twitter @KennyKaminsky
As the college hockey season kicks off, two players embarked on their college careers this past Sunday, as Boston Bruins 2023 3rd Round Pick Chris Pelosi and 2024 4th Round Pick Elliott Groenewold debuted in their first exhibition game as Quinnipiac Bobcats. Although Quinnipiac lost the game 4-2 to the Northeastern Huskies, both Bruins draftees played very well and look to contribute constantly this upcoming season.
Quinnipiac Head Coach Rand Pecknold dressed every player on the roster, giving everyone a chance to prove themselves. Coach Pecknold also changed the lines a few times during the game to determine what players play well together. This game was very frustrating as a Bobcats fan. The Bobcats dominated physically and created more shots and chances than Northeastern but could not capitalize on these golden opportunities.
One of the most noticeable players on offense was former Sioux Falls Stampede Assistant Captain Chris Pelosi. Chris had a phenomenal game and showed a ton of potential. His elite vision was apparent when entering the zone, and he looked very comfortable to begin the game. Although Pelosi is a Freshman, he played like a Senior, making mature plays and not getting overwhelmed by the pressure.
Chris Pelosi played wing and center during this game and excelled at both. Despite all the in-game audibles Coach Pecknold made with the lines, Pelosi played alongside Toronto Maple Leafs Rookie Camp Invitee and Holy Cross College transfer Jack Ricketts. Pelosi and Ricketts connected on the ice, both in sync in the offensive zone.
When discussing Pelosi’s defensive game, we see massive improvements from last year. Chris jumped passes and created a lot of turnovers. He worked incredibly hard on the walls, winning most of the night’s puck battles. However, there were a few unforced errors, like mindlessly throwing the puck to the crease with nobody home. Lastly, Pelosi earned his way onto the second power-play unit for the Bobcats.
He did a fabulous job creating a thick screen, making it difficult for the goalie to follow the puck, but nothing came from the opportunity. His moving screen led to his first college goal as he deflected a shot from Quinnipiac defenseman Davis Pennington into the top corner of the net to break the ice for the Bobcats. I expect Chris Pelosi to play on the second line with power play potential this season, but time will tell.
The Boston Bruins 2024 4th Round Pick Elliott Groenewold had less of a chance on the already loaded Quinnipiac defense, but he earned a spot in the everyday lineup. The 6’2 blueliner played like he was 6’7, throwing his weight around and being a thorn in the side of Northeastern’s offense. His awareness of the ice was fascinating, as he did a great job shielding the puck from incoming attackers. I felt bad for anyone trying to push the former Cedar Rapids RoughRider around, as reverse hits were plentiful in his debut for the blue and gold.
In the offensive zone, Groenewold had a few good shots. In the third period, he had a chance and took it, almost sneaking a well-placed shot through the Huskie netminder’s five-hole. One improvement Groenewold will need to implement is getting used to the speed of college hockey, as Elliott was sometimes a step behind the opposition. He could utilize his physicality to slow the streaking forwards when this happens, but once the Bobcats play more skilled competition, that will likely fail to work.
Groenewold was paired with a revolving door of partners but looked most comfortable with Avon Old Farms Alum Chase Ramsay. Both supported each other very well and opened up opportunities for each other in the offensive zone. Ramsay was the player who set up that chance for Groenewold in the third period. Elliott will also be in the opening night lineup. Although Ramsay and Groenewold looked great together, Elliott couldn’t go wrong partnering with other Bobcat defensemen, as every defenseman is immensely skilled in most areas of the ice.
Both players are projected to be in the opening night lineup next week as they start their actual home opener against Penn State. Coach Rand Pecknold will finalize lines very soon so we, as fans, can anticipate how the players will fit and their roles. Both players will play integral roles if the Quinnipiac Bobcats want to repeat as Conference Champions and win their second National title in three years.
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