Quinnipiac extended its win streak to three games Friday night after a 3-0 win over local rival Yale.
This marks the second time in three games that QU’s Victoria Vigilanti was able to record a shutout.
Despite the loss, Yale finally got what it has been looking for between the pipes as Genny Ladiges stopped 41 shots in the loss.
“This is what we’ve been waiting for from our goaltending,” Yale head coach Joakim Flygh said. “I think we’ve been spoiled in the past. She had a great game today and it’s probably the first time we’ve had a solid goaltending game this year.”
Quinnipiac took the 1-0 lead just over halfway through the first period on an odd shot from the left point by Jordan Elkins. Fresh off the bench, Elkins jumped into the play after Kelly Babstock’s shot was turned away by the Yale defense. The puck came out to Elkins where she whipped it on goal. Ladiges made the save and laid down on her back in the crease, but the puck dribbled under her and over the goal line.
“My goal for this season is to do the best I can with what I have,” Elkins said. “I had surgery before coming into this season. I know I have more constraints and limitations on my body.”
With the goal, Elkins had to smile when asked about her recent goal production.
“Growing up, I have never been a scorer,” said Elkins. “It’s not about who scores. It’s about us just getting the puck in the back of the net.”
Along with plenty of offensive opportunities, Quinnipiac’s defense allowed Yale to just two shots on goal in the opening frame.
The Bobcats extended their lead 44 seconds into the second period on a rebound goal by Regan Boulton. Yale’s Alyssa Zupon hooked Kelly Babstock on a scoring opportunity in the slot which triggered Vigilanti to leave her crease on the delayed penalty call. With the sixth skater, QU’s Amanda Colin snapped a shot on goal that was stopped by Ladiges. The puck came free on the left side where Boulton knocked it into the Yale net.
The Bobcats added one more in the second period off another rebound. Elkins wristed a shot on net from the right point that was blocked down in front of the Bulldogs’ net. The puck came loose on the right side where Colin tapped it in.
“Our game is jamming in front, getting shots and rebounds and two of our goals were rebound goals,” said QU coach Rick Seeley.
Yale generated just five shots on goal in the first two periods, but the hard work began to pay off for the Bulldogs in the third. Yale doubled their total and then some as they were able to get eight on net in the third.
“I told the kids we had a heck of an effort tonight and we certainly haven’t had that this year,” Flygh said.
Vigilanti stood tall stopping all 13 shots she faced.
“She’s aggressive, she’s standing up and she’s coming out and playing with confidence,” Seeley added.
Vigilanti’s third blanking puts her into a three-way tie with Northeastern’s Florence Schelling and Minnesota’s Noora Räty for second in the nation in shutouts.
With the win, the Bobcats move to 3-0-0 in the ECAC, while Yale is still searching for its first win of the season. Even with the loss, Flygh emphasized improvement.
“After a lot of our frustrating losses, this felt more like a complete game for us,” said Flygh. “If we can play this hard defensively and get good goaltending, good things will come.”
