TAMPA, Fla. – For the very first time in program history, Quinnipiac has actually reached the top of college hockey, beating Minnesota 3-2 in overtime to win the 2023 NCAA Division I males’s hockey championship game.
Jacob Quillan scored 10 seconds into overtime, putting home forehand-backhand relocation off a feed from Sam Lipkin (2 helps) to win it.
“It’s unreal,” Quillan said. “I mean, the boys put in so much blood, sweat and tears all year. It’s a dream come true, you know. We got it done. We’re gonna celebrate hard tonight.”
It was Quillan’s 3rd objective of the Frozen Four after he had 2 objectives versus Michigan in the semifinals. He ended up the competition with 5 objectives and 2 helps for 7 points in 4 video games.
BOBCATS WIN!!!! BOBCATS ARE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!!!!
📺 ESPN2#MFrozenFour x @QU_MIH pic.twitter.com/tN2CjZEJjP
— NCAA Ice Hockey (@NCAAIceHockey) April 9, 2023
“It’s a set play we have,” Quillan said of his objective. “Lipkin finds the middle. I mean [Zach] Metsa made a nice pass, and then [Lipkin] displayed his skill with the backhand sauce. I went back with it to the opposite side and tucked it in.”
Collin Graf connected the video game with a power play objective with 2:47 staying in guideline after head coach Rand Pecknold pulled Yaniv Perets (13 conserves) for the additional enemy.
Christophe Tellier likewise scored for the Bobcats (34-4-3), and Zach Metsa had 3 helps.
“It’s just awesome,” QU head coach Rand Pecknold said. “We’re excited. I’m so proud of these guys. Great group. It’s awesome to see all my alums in the stands. I can’t even put it into words. I’m struggling right now.”
The overtime hero Jacob Quillan (@quilly02) went 1-on-1 with @PatDonn12 to break down bringing home @QU_MIH‘s first-ever nationwide title 🏆#MFrozenFour pic.twitter.com/se4tBVkDN8
— NCAA Ice Hockey (@NCAAIceHockey) April 9, 2023
John Mittelstadt and Jaxon Nelson each scored for the Golden Gophers (29-10-1). Justen Close made 27 conserves.
“Tip your hat to Quinnipiac, but we were in the right spot,” Minnesota coach Bob Motzko said. “Turn the puck over for one [goal against]. Second one never ever need to have entered. You understand, that was a regrettable circumstance right there. So we had a possibility.
“I mean, I’m crushed. We just have a wonderful group. The love in that room and that group … I’m just crushed for them. For all of us.”
Mittelstadt opened the scoring simply over 5 minutes into the video game. QU’s Jayden Lee fanned on a breakout pass, and Connor Kurth was right there to catch the turnover prior to sending it out in front where Mittelstadt put it home.
Nelson doubled the lead less than 5 minutes into the 2nd. Brock Faber’s shot took a big bounce off completion boards, and Nelson was right there to put it home.
The Bobcats addressed about 3 minutes later on. Zach Metsa kept the puck in at the blue line prior to driving down the wall and feeding Tellier in front for a redirect.
The 3rd duration was all Quinnipiac prior to Graf broke through, acquiring assaulting zone time and outshooting the Gophers, 14-2, in the duration.
TIE VIDEO GAME. CONNECT VIDEO GAME. CONNECT VIDEO GAME. WE’RE GOING TO OVERTIME.
📺 ESPN2#MFrozenFour x @QU_MIH pic.twitter.com/7q792PkCe3
— NCAA Ice Hockey (@NCAAIceHockey) April 9, 2023
QU formerly reached the title video game two times, being up to Yale in 2013 and North Dakota in 2016, the latter was likewise in Tampa.
“I don’t know if it’s really sunk in yet,” Metsa said. It’s been an insane journey for it to be an objective at the start of the year and for us to come through … One, I’m happy for all the alums and the people that came prior to us that set the structure that we had the ability to grow from. … It’s a dream come to life.”
Rand Pecknold gets the Powerade shower. This celebration’s going all the method back to Hamden pic.twitter.com/IRbBRkIRwS
— Patrick Donnelly (@PatDonn12) April 9, 2023
