Coming into Saturday afternoon’s contest against American International, Quinnipiac had outscored the Yellow Jackets 18-5 in its two previous contests, winning 9-2 and 9-3.
The third meeting of the season between these two teams was no different as the Bobcats extended their unbeaten streak to 10 games and their home unbeaten streak to 16 by pounding AIC, 8-2, in front of 1012 fans at the Northford Ice Pavilion.
The two teams have already played three times against each other in this young season. AIC coach Gary Wright respects the talent of the Bobcats and probably is happy his team doesn’t play them again until early March.
“Obviously they’re a very fine team and they’re tremendous in transition,” he said. “It was pretty disappointing. We’ve played them three times already and got handled easily each of the three times and I thought maybe we’d come down here this time and it would be a little bit different and it wasn’t.”
Quinnipiac defenseman Wade Winkler scored his first career collegiate hat trick netting two of his goals on the potent Bobcat power play. It didn’t take long for him to get his three as he notched the hat trick early in the second period getting the puck at the point and firing a wrist shot to the low blocker side for the goal.
“Wade is without question one of the best offensive defenseman in our league and has the ability to jump into the play 5 on 5 or a great power play kid,” said Quinnipiac coach Rand Pecknold. “He’s been great offensively and we’re fortunate to be blessed with Winks and Erhart and Ennis, three of the better offensive defenseman in the league and they have really contributed to our great start.”
Winkler’s hat trick was the third In as many games for the Bobcats. Brian Herbert notched three goals the night before against Fairfield and Matt Craig notched three against AIC a week ago.
“It’s funny how that works, sometimes it comes and goes, same with shutouts, they come and go,” said Pecknold.
AIC hopes to put the lopsided games with Quinnipiac behind them as it gears up for a home and home series with Sacred Heart next weekend.
“We’ve just got to put it behind us. We’ve had some good outings and we’re still in the hunt,” said Wright. “We have two big games with Sacred Heart and we have to put this behind us but learn from it.”
Quinnipiac also looks to move on as they go on the road next weekend to play Army and Northeastern.
