TAMPA, FLA. – Jacob Quillan and Sam Lipkin might not have called bank, but the Quinnipiac linemates' goals counted nonetheless and are two big reasons why the Bobcats will play for the national championship.
Quillan in the first period and Lipkin in the third scored on shots from below the goal line that banked off Michigan goalie Erik Portillo and into the cage. Lipkin's tally proved to be the winner in a 5-2 victory over the Wolverines on Thursday night in the NCAA men's Frozen Four semifinals.
Quinnipiac will meet the Gophers, who beat Boston University 6-2 in the first semifinal, at 7 p.m. (Central) Saturday for the national championship.
"Quinnipiac culture was on full display tonight," Bobcats coach Rand Pecknold said. "They were just outstanding."
Quillan's goal gave the Bobcats a 1-0 first-period lead, while Lipkin's tally put Quinnipiac (33-4-3) up 3-2 early in the third period. All the while, Bobcats goalie Yaniv Perets held Michigan's potent offense in check by making 29 saves.
"Creating scrums in front of the net is part of our emphasis," Quillan said. "… As you can see, we like to bank in goals."
Seamus Casey and national scoring leader Adam Fantilli scored for the Wolverines (26-12-3), while Portillo made 24 saves.
Quinnipiac will play for the national championship for the third time. The Bobcats lost 4-0 to Yale in the 2013 final in Pittsburgh and 5-1 to North Dakota in the 2016 title game in Tampa.