UConn faces Quinnipiac in NCAA hockey tournament debut

UConn and Quinnipiac will meet in the first round of the NCAA men's ice hockey tournament in Allentown, Pennsylvania, this Friday. It marks the first time UConn has reached the 16-team tournament. The Huskies recently made it to the Hockey East final and finished the season with 22 wins. Quinnipiac is a seasoned contender, having won the national championship in 2023 and reaching the Frozen Four three times. They faced UConn earlier this year, losing 2-1 in the CT Ice semifinal. The Bobcats have had a strong season too, with a record of 24 wins. The winner of the UConn and Quinnipiac game will face either top seed Maine or Penn State in the regional final on Sunday. UConn's current roster includes standout players like Joey Muldowney, who scored a record 27 goals this season. Their strong performance has seen them outscore opponents 124-93. Quinnipiac, under coach Rand Pecknold, is making its 11th NCAA appearance. This season, the Bobcats outscored their opponents 134-79. Key players include Jeremy Wilmer and Marcellus Mason, who have been instrumental in their offense. Both teams are looking to advance further in the tournament, making this matchup an exciting one for fans.