Josh Siembida and the Quinnipiac University Bobcats (4-2-0, 0-0-0 ECACHL) earned a 5-0 shutout victory over the American International Yellow Jackets (0-2-0, 0-0-0 AHA) at the Northford Ice Pavilion Saturday night.
This was the backend game of the home and home series for the two clubs, in which the Bobcats extended its winning streak to four games.
“We played well tonight, said Quinnipiac head coach Rand Pecknold. “We settled down and played better team defense.
Quinnipiac struck first on a five-on-three power-play goal by Matt Sorteberg. Reid Cashman fed Sorteberg at the left circle, who beat AIC goaltender Tom Fenton to make it 1-0 at 13:42.
AIC had a golden opportunity to tie the score early on in the second period. The Yellow Jackets had a five minute power play thanks to a Quinnipiac checking-from-behind penalty. AIC could not capitalize with the man advantage, however.
“We struggled on the power and we need to get more shots on net,” said AIC head coach Gary Wright.
Quinnipiac responded with a power-play goal of its own, this time by Brian Leitch. Leitch received a neat backdoor pass from Ben Nelson and buried a one-timer at 9:57 of the second.
The Bobcats scored their third goal less then a minute later on a Mike Bordieri tally. Joe Testa picked up a rebound and sent it up ice to Joe Dumais. Dumais fed a streaking Bordieri, who put the puck under Fenton’s blocker.
The Bobcats’ David Marshall added two goals in the third. Marshall’s first goal came on a shorthanded breakaway with an assist by Andy Meyer. Marshall’s second goal came thanks to a beautiful deke move after receiving a long pass from Cashman.
Cashman finished the night with three helpers, moving his assist total to ten and his point total to 11 on the season.
AIC finished 0-11 on the power play while Quinnipiac was 2-9. Siembida made 17 saves in net for the shutout win and Fenton made 28 in the loss.
“I was focused on what I needed to take care of in our end,” said Siembida. “Our team defense was great and our penalty kill was awesome.”
The Bobcats return to action next weekend when they take to the road to play Robert Morris. The Yellow Jackets have next weekend off before hosting Mercyhurst for a pair of league games.
