Quinnipiac’s senior night versus Bentley featured plenty of emotion, on both benches. Aaron Ludwig scored the game-winning goal as Quinnipiac beat Bentley 2-1 in a game that featured 177 penalty minutes combined between two teams.
In the first period, the Bobcats struck first at the 5:44 mark, when Rob Hammel scored his first goal of the season. Hammel took the puck after the Bentley breakout was destroyed by the Quinnipiac forecheck. The puck then came loose for Hammel at the top of the slot, where he shot a quick wrist shot past Geordan Murphy, and to the back of the twine to give Quinnipiac a 1-0 lead.
In the second period, Bentley was able to tie the game on a two-on-one out of the neutral zone. Bobby Delong and Troy Wiebler stormed up ice, and converted as Wiebler shot the puck top shelf over Justin Eddy’s glove to tie the game at 1-1.
Before the end of the period, the Bobcats regained the lead on the power play. When Aaron Ludwig got a piece of a shot from the point. The play developed as Chris White shot the puck from the blue line and Jack Devaney redirected it and then Aaron Ludwig also deflected the puck past Murphy.
“Simon St. Pierre was ready to go tonight, but we let Murphy play, that’s three games versus Quinnipiac he has played well,” said Bentley head coach Ryan Soderquist.
Bentley had their chances in the second including a five-on-three power play. At the 6:24 mark the Falcons had a two-man advantage for 1:09 but failed to convert.
“I think Quinnipiac killing the 5-on-3 there in the second period was a big turning point that we didn’t put a puck home, and we didn’t score any goals early,” said Soderquist.
The third period provided no scoring, but plenty of action, including a large altercation in front of the Quinnipiac bench. At the 3:41 mark a brawl broke out as players converged along the far sideboards and began to throw fists. Each player grabbed another and tempers flared. Sticks, gloves and helmets were scattered everywhere and players were ejected. There we numerous disqualification’s and game misconduct’s.
For Bentley, Brett Murphy, Brendan McCartin and Ryan Lessnau all received five minutes for fighting and10 minute disqualifications. Patrick Dineen also picked up a five-minute penalty for a protocol violation.
“I think all the penalties and everything that happened it wasn’t more guys being punks, it was just an intense game, a 2-1 game, if you see that in a 9-1 game or 7-2 game you would think guys were starting to start stuff, and fighting. I think it was just a good intense battle, and I think a lot of stuff was let go early which resulted in that happen, I though it was a good game both ways,” said Soderquist.
For Quinnipiac, Matt Froehlich, Troy Maleyko and Ty Dienema who was bit during the altercation all received five minutes for fighting and 10 minute disqualifications. A total of 163 penalty minutes were assessed in the third period.
Both teams will struggle to fill their rosters for tomorrow night. The Bobcats will face first place Holy Cross-while Bentley hosts Mercyhurst.
“It was disappointing, you just don’t want to see things like that happen, and they get three guys disqualified, and we get three guys disqualified and stitches and sometimes tempers flare and there isn’t much you can do about it,” said Quinnipiac head coach Rand Pecknold.
After the over six-minute delay, and last 3:41, Justin Eddy had compiled 27 saves as the Bobcats improved back to .500 with the win and 13-13-5 on the season.
“I was happy with the win, and it was resilient. We have been struggling to get wins so well take it. I wasn’t really pleased well with the how my team played, I think you have to give credit to Bentley and Murphy, he played exceptional, he has had three great games against us,” said Pecknold.
Murphy was sharp; stopping 25 shots between the pipes for Bentley. However, with the loss the Falcons fell to 7-17-4 overall.
