Bobcats Over Bears in Gm 1

The Brown Bears rolled into M&T Bank Arena tonight to take on the Quinnipiac Bobcats for the first game in their best of 3 Quarterfinal series. Brown played their way into this one with a win over Dartmouth last Saturday which propelled them out of the opening round. Meanwhile on the other bench, the Bobcats have been chilling at home after their cardiac comeback win against Yale in their last regular season game.

At the end of 60, it was Quinnipiac with the 6-3 win over Brown, but it was a lot closer than the final scoreboard makes it seem. I don’t think the Bobcats think this series is wrapped up and I know the Bears don’t think this is over. Game 2 should be an all-timer.

In net for the visitors was Rory Edwards (8-7-2 with a 2.36GAA and .918%SV). The junior netminder backstopped the Bears over Dartmouth with 19 saves and only 2 goals against in a must win in her last outing. At the other end of the sheet stood Felicia Frank (24-7-3 with a 1.39GAA and .945%SV). The Swedish sophomore is building up accolades as fast she does wins as she was just named ECAC Goalie of the Year (not a big deal).

Take a victory lap Frank, it’s your birthday 🎂

The pace was good to open this one as both teams looked to get off to a good start and get the early advantage in the series. Both sides had looks as the game settled down after the first few shifts.

Just past midway in the opening frame it was friend of the podcast Kahlen Lamarche that got the party started for the home team. Lamarche came down the RW in the Brown zone and drove the net coming off the half wall. Lamarche hit an absolutely filthy toe drag to split the defenders and dragged the puck around Edwards to tuck it home on the backhand. Another elite celly from Lamarche on her 36th of the year.

I think it’s fair to say that she might owe Laurence Frenette a burrito as her linemate was standing at the far post just waiting for the tap in that never came.

In the 2nd the pace ticked up as did the scoring. In the opening minute, Quinnipiac doubled up their lead when Taylor Brueske punched one home. Ella Johnson drove the Brown zone to the RW corner and laid a perfect backhand seam-pass to Brueske driving the net. Say it with me, good things happen when you go to the net. 2-0 Bobcats.

Brown got one back just before midway when Jade Iginla put the Bears on the board. Cadence Richards laid a perfect outlet to Monique Lyons that hit her in stride at the Quinnipiac blue line and Lyons drove down the Bobcat zone. Iginla was on her horse to the net and Lyons put it to her right at the top of the blue paint. Once again: good things happen when you go to the net. 2-1 Bobcats.

That momentum for Brown only lasted 21 seconds before Quinnipiac got one back. Avery Bairos hit a turnaround snap shot from the LW circle that had just enough English on it to leak through Edwards to put the Bobcats back up by a pair.

Bairos as she lined up her shot (probably)

As time was winding down in the period, the Bears cashed in on the power play. Lyons carried the puck into the Quinnipiac zone and fed Olivia Fantino driving the slot. Frank made the initial save on Fantino but the puck caromed to Margot Norehad coming from the RW circle and she put it 5-hole where it just trickled across the goal line. Ladies and gents, we got a one-goal game.

In the 3rd the Bears had an excellent chance to tie this one up on the power play on a fresh sheet, but no one told the PK-ers. Emerson Jarvis pressured the puck and bunted the turnover to Peyton Cormier in the neutral zone. Cormier carried down the inside of the LW as Jarvis drove the net, and she tucked this one home on the short-side. Nothing fires up the home crowd more than a shortie.

And then, it was time for the speed demon. It should come as no surprise for those that have seen Quinnipiac play, but for those that haven’t: Jarvis flat out flies. With possession, Jarvis circled the Brown zone and gained space and separation as she progressed. As she came across the top of the LW circle she dipped a shoulder and dropped down the slot before putting a wrister on net that found home.

The Brown coaching staff got aggressive towards the end of the period and pulled Edwards with about 6mins to play and down by 3 goals. If you’re a Brown fan you have to love that move. So many coaches get frozen in those moments, but in a short series, you might as well pull out all the stops.

Unfortunately for the Bears, there’s a great white shark out there circling and lurking wearing #8 in yellow. She’s an apex predator and her prey is Genos. Of course Lamarche hits for the ENG. Great play by Frenette to get the puck over to her with the mini sweep check. Maybe it’s 2 burritos owed?

But kudos to the Bears as they weren’t going to just roll over and hibernate (I had to, I’m so sorry). With less than 5 to play and their net empty again, Norehad got her 2nd of the night off the ensuing face-off.

Lyons kept possession on the LW wall and found Norehad at the LW dot and put it on a platter for her. Norehad sniped under the bar and over Frank’s shoulder to put Brown back within 3 goals. Lyons battled at least 4 Bobcats to keep possession and give Norehad time to get free.

The teams face-off again tomorrow afternoon in Game 2 at the M&T Bank Arena. It’s win or go home for Brown and I expect them to come flying out of the gate. As someone who grew up with Hockey East, I hope that all of you ECAC fans know how great you have it. A best of 3 in the quarterfinals?? This is awesome!!

And for those that missed Lamarche on the podcast (how dare you), she is an absolute beauty and was great to talk to. And I swear I’m not putting the link here just to mention Kelly Babstock once again (Lamarche don’t forget you promised to help get her!)

If you’ve read this far you’re clearly a fan of the women’s game. Please like, share, subscribe and follow us on all socials @BTGHockeyPod and give the podcast a try. Thanks!

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