By: Neil Simmons | Follow me on Twitter / X: @NSimmz
The Quinnipiac Bobcats maintained their impressive early-season form on Tuesday night, downing Holy Cross 4-1 in Worcester. The Bobcats entered the matchup freshly ranked number six in the country, following a weekend series win over then seventh-ranked Maine. Chris Pelosi, Elliott Groenewold & co overcame a 4-1 deficit to salvage a tie on Friday and then drubbed the Black Bears 4-0 in the rematch on Saturday. Conversely, the defending Atlantic Hockey regular-season champs limped in, having won only one of their four games, including getting swept by the same Maine Black Bears the weekend prior.
The Bobcats jumped all over Holy Cross right off the jump, with Pelosi nearly setting up the icebreaker just over a minute into the game. A penalty-filled first period saw both teams get two power play opportunities, with Quinnipiac cashing in just over five minutes in and dictating proceedings from there. By the end of the first frame, the Bobcats owned a 22-9 shot advantage and a 2-0 lead.
The Crusaders responded with a more evenly played second period. They managed to scratch a goal back when Jack Seymour beat Quinnipiac goaltender Matej Marinov with a high backhand in tight, and the game tilted back into contention despite the lopsided run of play. However, the Bobcats would answer back five minutes later and reclaim their two-goal edge after Graham Sward pounded a slapshot past Holy Cross goaltender Louden Hogg.
Quinnipiac owned the third period, keeping Holy Cross on the back foot with four power plays, with the eventual dagger coming off the man advantage via a penalty drawn by Pelosi. Both Bruins prospects were held off the scoresheet by the game’s end, snapping their respective three-game point streaks, but both made key plays to contribute to the team victory.
Takeaways: Chris Pelosi is tough as nails. He blocked a shot midway through Holy Crossâ first real spell of offensive zone time in the first period, and hobbled off he ice unable to put any weight on his foot. Despite the immediate distress, he didnât miss a shift and was right back out there on the penalty kill after a media timeout. Pelosi was all over the crease all night long, battling for netfront position and getting a few big chances that forced tough saves by the netminder Hogg. He couldâve easily had one or two against another goalie.
Elliott Groenewold skates exceptionally well. Whether it was backchecking to defend a breakaway, walking the blueline, or joining the rush (even while shorthanded), he covers so much ground and does it so effortlessly. Listed as a 6â2â, 215lb defenseman, he moves 20lbs lighter yet still plays with the physicality of his frame. His puck handling and shooting caught attention as well, as he, like Pelosi, couldâve had a goal or two of his own. Groenewold entered the night leading the team in blocked shots, and added to it with three more, bringing his total up to 10 on the season.
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