UConn downed Quinnipiac College tonight before a nice crowd of almost a
thousand at the UConn Ice Arena in Storrs.   This particular match-up (and
the rematch tomorrow night) held the most interest in MAAC hockey this
weekend as it pitted number one (QC) against a co-number two (UConn).
 
        The game recap and box is available on INFO-HOCKEY-L and will also be on
USCHOL,  I am sure.   However,  I think it is worthwhile to share some
subjective impressions of the game.
 
        The first half of the game was rather slow,  close checking,  and filled
with penalties.   Both teams were warily feeling each other out as they had
not played for a couple of years.   In those days,  UConn regularly gave QC
a 5-0 or 9-0 thumping,  so each team wanted to ascertain the new order of
things.   It was clear that Quinnipiac had the bigger,  older,  more
experienced team.   They simply did not lose their poise.   In fact,  it
seemed clear that QC really did not respect UConn very much as several
times they were quite sloppy in their own end.   Twice during the game
UConn made QC pay for those mistakes.   But UConn got some quality chances
of their own accord as well.   It wasn't all one sided.   For very brief
periods,  in fact,  UConn was able to dominate.
 
        The second half of the game was much faster than the first.   Early in the
third,  QC had an apparent goal which was not signaled by the referee.
  They spent a fair amount of effort arguing the non-call which seemed to
leave them briefly unfocused.   Shortly after,  they capitalized on a QC
mistake and Michael Narotski got the game winner.
 
        The last ten minutes of the third was all QC and no penalties were called
at all.   QC really dominated with two and sometimes all three forwards on
the forecheck and only Marc Senerchia was able to save the day for UConn.
  At each face-off in the UConn end the fans were as loud as I have heard
in Storrs.   The final 1:25 was especially thrilling with the QC goal empty
and the puck pinned in the UConn end for most of it
 
        At the conclusion of the game,  there was a bit of a scrum in one of the
UConn corners which took a minute or two to sort out.   Most of the QC
players then left the ice without shaking hands.   I am not sure if the
coaching staff simply wanted to get the players off the ice before anything
more could erupt,  but the impression given was that of extremely poor
sportsmanship.   QC has a bit to learn in this area.
 
        In conclusion,  Quinnipiac appears to have the better team,  but UConn won
on grit,  determination,  and disciplined execution of their game plan.
  QC looks very talented,  but they also look like they have a major
attitude problem,   They appear to think that they are much better than
they are.   A loss was probably good for them tonight.   It should be
interesting for Saturday night's rematch in East Haven.
 
        -- Dick Tuthill
 
HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey;  send information to
[log in to unmask], The College Hockey Information List.