Bobcats Roar in Sports Center Debut

Bobcats Roar in Sports Center Debut

By Seth Rothman

January 28, 2007

HAMDEN – “It’s a big relief.” Quinnipiac Head Men’s Hockey coach Rand Pecknold was scared of losing the first ever men’s hockey game at the TD Banknorth Sports Center. He understands the dynamic that exists in sports. If the Bobcats would have lost their opener at their beautiful new habitat, it could have killed attendance for a long time.

But Quinnipiac did not lose this game. After a scoreless 1^st period, they scored 4 goals in 3:39 of the second to take command. After the 7-0 shutout win was over, Reid Cashman, the team’s captain, credited nerves for the slow start.

“We were nervous to play in front of a crowd like this. We wanted to play well for this program, this Quinnipiac University community. That first goal was a big one,” Cashman said. “Once we got that one, we started to relax a little bit and play our own game.”

Once the Bobcats got settled in, they rolled. They really took off, though, when they scored 2 shorthanded goals in a 31 second span.

“To get 2 (shorthanded goals) in 1 power play was pretty impressive for us. That’s just a credit to our forwards driving hard to the net and really making great plays,” Cashman said.

Eric Lampe scored the first one when he came in on a 2v1 and deked goaltender Ian Dams out of the net. Dan LeFort got the second shorthanded goal by taking a great feed from Cashman and skating in alone on Dams for his first goal of the season.

For Pecknold, today was about more than just a game. “It’s been a great ride to this point, certainly a lot of buildup, but I was really excited to get to this game, win this game, and get that win under our belts,” Pecknold said. “It was a great experience for our players.”

For Cashman, the biggest thrill of the day was having Gordie Howe drop the first puck during the pre-game ceremonies. “Someone like Gordie Howe, to be able to shake his hand, have him talk to us was a special moment for me, and for the entire team.”

Quinnipiac Goaltender Bud Fisher was equally as impressed with the crowd. The “Crazy Bobcats” student section was as loud as ever, and for Fisher, it provided a great college hockey atmosphere. “It’s exciting out there, Fisher said. “They’re so close to the glass; basically right on top of you. They’re a great bunch of fans, they really get into it, and it just gets you pumped, gets you excited to play.”

Fisher made 14 saves in nearly 55 minutes of play before being spelled by freshman Zach Kleiman. Fisher encapsulated this entire weekend of play. “It’s a beautiful facility, and the crowd we had, and the excitement in here, it was just amazing. It exceeded all expectations.”