4/8/2023
TAMPA, Fla. – For the first time in program history, the Quinnipiac University Men’s Ice Hockey program has won the national championship.
The Bobcats scored three unanswered goals to down Minnesota, 3-2, in overtime at Amalie Arena in the 2023 NCAA Division I title contest.
Cristophe Tellier found the back of the net to get Quinnipiac on the board in the second period, Collin Graf tied the game with just 2:47 left, then Jacob Quillan netted the game winner just seconds into overtime to send the Bobcats back to Hamden at the top of the college hockey world.
Jacob Quillan won the opening faceoff to start overtime, captain Zach Metsa found Sam Lipkin with a long pass into the zone, then Jacob Quillan made a move around Minnesota goalie Justen Close to strike for the winning goal.
NOTES
- Quinnipiac killed off 25 straight penalties to close the 2022-23 season.
- Cristophe Tellier scored his eighth goal of the season in the win.
- Collin Graf recorded his 21st goal of the year. Graf’s 59 points are a Division I single season record.
- Zach Metsa recorded three assists – raising his season helper total to 28.
- Sam Lipkin assisted on a pair of goals – giving him 43 points for the year.
- QU won 34 of 57 faceoffs in total. Jacob Quillan won 12-of-18 battles in the faceoff dot.
- Yaniv Perets made 13 saves.
- Quinnipiac finishes with a Division I program record 34 wins.
- QU outshot Minnesota 30-15. 15 shots is the lowest total Minnesota had all year. The Gophers recorded only two shots on goal in the third period.
- Head Coach Rand Pecknold now has 660 career wins.
COURTESY QUINNIPIAC ATHLETICS
