Defending champion Bobcats sneak past Ice Hockey in OT

SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts - For the second time in three games, Quinnipiac University's Jacob Quillan scored an overtime winner to give the Bobcats a 3-2 victory, as they defeated the American International College ice hockey team in a nonconference matchup on Friday, October 13.

AIC is now 0-2-0 on the campaign.

The Bobcats, ranked fifth in the latest DCU/USCHO Poll, stormed out of the gates, but Nils Wallstrom was up to the task. The rookie, in his first home start, stuffed all 14 first-period shots to send the game to intermission scoreless.

In the second, AIC's first goal at home of the campaign came on a broken play. Jordan Biro jammed the puck forward from in front of the Quinnipiac bench, and it bounded to Brett Rylance. He swept the puck across to Josh Barnes, who was open on the left wing, and Barnes flicked home his first of the season just under the crossbar at 10:58.

Quinnipiac was able to equalize early in the second. A failed clear ended up on the stick of Jayden Lee, and his wrister hit an AIC defender on the way to the net at 5:09.

The Yellow Jackets needed to bounce back, and did in a big way. Blake Wells and Logan Jenuwine rushed up the ice, and Jenuwine took a huge hit to toss the puck in front for Wells to pot his first in an AIC uniform at 9:59 of the third, giving AIC back the lead.

Late in regulation, matching penalties gave the Bobcats a chance, and they elected to pull their goalkeeper as well for a power play in spirit, though not officially. It worked, as Travis Treloar was able to whack a rebound in at 16:50 to tie the game.

In overtime, Quillan had a breakaway right off the draw that Wallstrom stopped. However, with 1:32 left in the extra session, he got free in front again, and this time was able to finish to win it for Quinnipiac.

Wallstrom made 28 saves in the setback.

Both teams battle again on Saturday, October 14 at 7:00 in Hamden, Connecticut.