Dogs and Cats

The undefeated Northeastern Huskies rolled into Hamden, CT for the front half of a pair vs. the undefeated Quinnipiac Bobcats. Two teams with perfect records on the season thus far facing off in a late afternoon tilt? Sounds great! And both teams headed into this one ranked in the top 15 nationally? Oh that’s a big hell yeah!

These 2 clubs are built as mirror images of each other. Both are deep up front with talented forwards who can play all 3 zones and the squads each boast some elite offensive talents. On the backend the Huskies might have the edge in height, but the D corps are equally dynamic with some younger players logging big minutes. And manning the pipes for both sides? Just a couple of friends from the SDHL making names for themselves in the NCAA.

In net for the Huskies was the Big Cat, Lisa Jönsson and at the other end of the sheet (as it has been for every Quinnipiac game so far) was Felicia Frank. They’re playing against each other this weekend, but could they be possible teammates for Team Sweden in the future?

This game opened up at warp speed. The teams jumped out after the opening draw and didn’t take their foot off the gas until the first media timeout. Neither team had long setups in the offensive zone as the goalies turned away mostly perimeter shots.

QU got on the board first when Emerson Jarvis finished off a 2:1 beating Jönsson over the blocker. The Bobcats attacked on transition and Laurence Frenette put the puck right on Jarvis’ tape for the only goal of the opening period.

In the second the physicality ramped up and Kahlen Lamarche remembered how good at hockey she is. On the period’s opening shift, Lamarche grabbed a neutral zone turnover and drove the LW before going far-side post in and out off the back bar to double up the lead. The ice wasn’t even dry in the corners when she sniped this one.

And this is when Stripes entered the chat. I cannot confirm or deny this report, but I heard that the officiating crew decided to pound the over on PIMs and hand them out like Oprah’s Christmas Giveaways. Per usual, there was no consistency and even the exemplary broadcast team had some questions as to what was and what wasn’t a penalty. Hey guys, don’t worry, no one in the rink knew either.

With less than 7mins to play in the middle frame, Lamarche got her 2nd of the game, this time from the left wing.

This was looking to be an ugly night for the Huskies until Éloïse Caron got NU on the board when a leaky puck trickled through Frank into the blue paint. Emy McDermid won the draw clean at the RW dot and Strkyer Zablocki put the puck on net. Frank made the initial save but the rebound was loose.

The sides entered the 3rd with Quinnipiac still up by a pair, but the Huskies were def on the hunt. Within a span of 1:05 Jules Constantinople proved this podcaster right when I said that she’s playing the best hockey of her career. Then she went out and potted 2 Genos in front of the hometown-ish crowd.

The first goal was what is becoming her signature play: a power play goal off the bar and in.

And then for the tie goal? Oh just a drop knee one timer from the high slot. Not a big deal.

It looked like we were heading to overtime until Lamarche called game with 2 goals late. You all know I’m a Huskies guy, but hand up, I love the way Lamarche plays. I remember her chirping back to the Doghouse last year when Quinnipiac played at Historic Matthews Arena, and I was immediately a fan.

Here’s her pair to give her first the hatty and then the Texas hatty. Have a night Lamarche.

The 2 sides are back at it tomorrow afternoon and hopefully the pace stays the same and this time Stripes stay out of the way.

I don’t know why the Huskies don’t get skates in this pic? But pretty good either way.

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