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Quinnipiac Bobcats 2022-23: The Quest Continues...

I’ll save you all from listening to every podcast previewing the tournament. We are far and away the #1 pick to not make the second round. Everyone is saying Merrimack matches up great with us and that we can “easily lose this game.”
 
BigAl said:
I’ll save you all from listening to every podcast previewing the tournament. We are far and away the #1 pick to not make the second round. Everyone is saying Merrimack matches up great with us and that we can “easily lose this game.”
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Huge Merrimack fan here, and strong secondary rooting interest for the Bobcats (more on that in a minute).
Let's look at the #1 vs # 4 matchups:
Minnesota vs. Canisius. Minnesota is the favorite to take the whole enchilada, while Canisius is the overall 16th seed. You see an upset her? Me neither.
Michigan vs. Colgate. Wolverines are loaded, and odds makers have them at +350, just behind Minnesota. Colgate will be a tough out (as you well know), but they are only in because of the autobid. Upset could happen here if Gylander plays the way he did in the ECAC Tournament, but it will be a HUGE challenge.
Denver vs Cornell. Defending Nat'l champs. Maybe Cornell comes up big? Who knows.

That leaves QU vs. Merrimack. I think any upset talk is more reflective of Merrimack's season than a diminishment of QU's. Incredibly emotional year with the death of Astst/ Coach Josh Ciocco 1 week before the season. Warriors won 2 OT games in the HE playoffs, and pushed a very good BU team to the limit, losing in OT in the championship. They're an older team (like QU), very strong defensively (same) and deep (run 4 lines just like the Bobcats.). I don't think it is a case of "QU could easily lose this game", but I can understand why SOME people (not everyone) could see an upset here versus the other #1 vs # 4 matchups.

Secondary rooting interest: My daughter and son in law are both QU '08, along with a niece ('08) and another niece ('21). I was in Providence in '13 when they won the regional (sat right next to some hilarious fans in Tele Tubbie outfits). I still can picture Michael Peca's fantastic goal against Canisius.

So if it's not Merrimack, I'll be cheering on the Bobcats.
 
RENCEB said:
Huge Merrimack fan here, and strong secondary rooting interest for the Bobcats (more on that in a minute).
Let's look at the #1 vs # 4 matchups:
Minnesota vs. Canisius. Minnesota is the favorite to take the whole enchilada, while Canisius is the overall 16th seed. You see an upset her? Me neither.
Michigan vs. Colgate. Wolverines are loaded, and odds makers have them at +350, just behind Minnesota. Colgate will be a tough out (as you well know), but they are only in because of the autobid. Upset could happen here if Gylander plays the way he did in the ECAC Tournament, but it will be a HUGE challenge.
Denver vs Cornell. Defending Nat'l champs. Maybe Cornell comes up big? Who knows.

That leaves QU vs. Merrimack. I think any upset talk is more reflective of Merrimack's season than a diminishment of QU's. Incredibly emotional year with the death of Astst/ Coach Josh Ciocco 1 week before the season. Warriors won 2 OT games in the HE playoffs, and pushed a very good BU team to the limit, losing in OT in the championship. They're an older team (like QU), very strong defensively (same) and deep (run 4 lines just like the Bobcats.). I don't think it is a case of "QU could easily lose this game", but I can understand why SOME people (not everyone) could see an upset here versus the other #1 vs # 4 matchups.

Secondary rooting interest: My daughter and son in law are both QU '08, along with a niece ('08) and another niece ('21). I was in Providence in '13 when they won the regional (sat right next to some hilarious fans in Tele Tubbie outfits). I still can picture Michael Peca's fantastic goal against Canisius.

So if it's not Merrimack, I'll be cheering on the Bobcats.
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And just to clarify, I respect Merrimack and think they are a formidable opponent and it’s not so much that I disagree with everyone. More just the continued feel that no one respects us (which is fine, our SOS is what it is). A Quinnipiac run this postseason might go further for respect than any previous postseason run. I think one of the USCHO guys said it best “how much of a shame would it be if Quinnipiac ended this tremendous year with to straight losses.” Here’s to hoping the boys come out wanting blood, cause I’m still sour about how they played against Colgate.
 
BigAl said:
Here’s to hoping the boys come out wanting blood, cause I’m still sour about how they played against Colgate.
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These guys had a goal of 6 trophies. I believe they'll be more than happy with 5.

The 5th years came back for one reason, and one reason only.

They’ll be ready come Friday.
 
MarkEagleUSA said:
These guys had a goal of 6 trophies. I believe they'll be more than happy with 5.

The 5th years came back for one reason, and one reason only.

They’ll be ready come Friday.
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The thing that concerns me is we have not been playing our best hockey the last few weeks. We were ridiculous in January, and really sagged late in the year. We were still winning games, but let's not make believe we were playing our best hockey lately. Certainly not out of the realm of possibility that we peaked too early. I still think we can make it to the Frozen Four because of how talented we are, but this team has been on cruise control for the last two months. As we saw last weekend, it's really hard to turn that back on at will. I sure hope they're ready, because it would really sully our season to go 30-4-3, only to lose in the first round of the tournament.
 
iowabasedtraveler said:
I sincerely hope that reason for those student-athletes had something to do with Academics.
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Obviously. Grad students have it much tougher than undergrads from what I hear. Plus there's no scholarship money so either they, or mom & dad, are footing the bill. They're definitely not just there for the hockey.

Our captain has said he came back because he felt there was unfinished business on the ice. The others have made similar comments.
 
BigAl said:
....More just the continued feel that no one respects us.....
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I get it (remember, I'm a Merrimack fan; we've been disrespected pretty much since we joined Hockey East!). Anyone discounting/disrespecting the Bobcats is a fool. Tremendous season with a stacked, experienced roster, and a coach that's been here before. I will not be surprised if you win it all (although disappointed for my Warriors).
 
Good showing from the boys. Needed that first one to go our way to open it up a bit. Thought we controlled most of the 60 mins. Physical game and Perets did what he had to

Ohio St can beat anyone in the country. Stifling defense will be a must. Should be a good one. Time to prove ourselves via the almighty Big 10
 
BigAl said:
Good showing from the boys. Needed that first one to go our way to open it up a bit. Thought we controlled most of the 60 mins. Physical game and Perets did what he had to

Ohio St can beat anyone in the country. Stifling defense will be a must. Should be a good one. Time to prove ourselves via the almighty Big 10
Click to expand...

It’s gonna be a war……battle for every inch of the ice……they are like Cornell with speed. Need Yaniv to be Yaniv and we win 3-2
 
RENCEB said:
I get it (remember, I'm a Merrimack fan; we've been disrespected pretty much since we joined Hockey East!). Anyone discounting/disrespecting the Bobcats is a fool. Tremendous season with a stacked, experienced roster, and a coach that's been here before. I will not be surprised if you win it all (although disappointed for my Warriors).
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Thanks man! Appreciate your comment…..you had a tremendous season! You guys play programs with 10+ NHL draft picks all year…..Kudos!
 
What a performance that was. These guys are the real deal. I didn't even think Merrimack was bad tonight, we just beat 'em. The Warriors had some good chances and should have had a goal or two. QU is incredible once we get the lead. We gave them nothing.

Can't wait for Sunday. That's going to be a hell of a hockey game.

Incredible fan support tonight. 90% of the crowd was QU fans. It's ridiculous what has been built these last 15 years. I hope we don't take it for granted. Special program.
 
ICECAT1811 said:
What a cakewalk to a Natty…….OSU/Michigan/Gophers…..easy peasy…lol.
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"If it was easy, everybody would do it. The hard is what makes it great."

We wanted respect all season. Weak ECAC, soft schedule, yada yada yada. If we pull this off, we'll have truly earned it.
 
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