In its first regular-season road game, Quinnipiac women’s ice hockey team secured a decisive 5-2 win over Providence College Friday afternoon, showcasing depth, speed and a relentless offensive attack that never let up.

This was the first of two games against the Friars, as Quinnipiac now improves to a 7-11-2 record against Providence. 

The Bobcats wasted no time responding to an early first-period goal by Providence sophomore forward Jessie Pellerin, as just over two minutes later, junior forward Alex Law buried a shot off assists from junior forward Kahlen Lamarche and sophomore defenseman Ella Sennick to tie the game. 

That goal felt like a momentum shifter, and you could sense the energy on the bench pick up.

Throughout the first period, Quinnipiac’s offense seemed consistent, putting nine shots on goal. The defense, which had been a struggle early in games this season, seemed to hold its own with seven saves. 

This allowed graduate student forward Laurence Frenette to give Quinnipiac the lead before the first intermission, finishing a beautiful setup from Lamarche and Law. 

It was clear the Bobcats were clicking early. Their puck movement was sharp, and they were winning battles along the boards.

The second period was relatively quiet, as even though the Bobcats put 13 shots on goal, Friars graduate student goaltender Hope Walinski would save all 13 shots she saw from Quinnipiac. 

This allowed Providence to tie it up again midway through the second period on a power play goal from senior forward Reichen Kirchmair, but it was the last time the Friars found the back of the net. 

Quinnipiac’s penalty kill tightened up, and the defense started to clamp down, led by solid positioning and quick stick work.

The third period was all Bobcats as freshman forward Peyton Cormier opened the floodgates just over a minute in, finishing a feed from senior forward Emerson Jarvis, to give Quinnipiac the lead 3-2. 

Law then took over, scoring twice more, to earn her first hat trick as a Bobcat. Her second goal came unassisted with a little over 13 minutes left to go in the game. 

The Whitby, Ontario native capped off scoring from both teams with under 10 minutes left, assisted by freshman defenseman Makayla Watson and Sennick. She was everywhere, constantly pressuring the puck and creating chances. Her ability to find space and finish was elite, contributing to Quinnipiac’s win in this game.

The Bobcats outshot Providence 32-22 and controlled the pace for most of the game. Their forecheck was aggressive, forcing turnovers and keeping the Friars pinned in their own zone.

Quinnipiac’s defensive core, especially Lamarche and Sennick, played a key role in transitioning the puck quickly and cleanly.

Goaltending was strong for the Bobcats, even when Providence tried to mount a comeback. With eight saves in the third period alone, sophomore goalie Felicia Frank continues to bring a new element to the Bobcats’ defense since taking over senior goalie Calli Hogarth in their previous victory over the University of Maine last Saturday. 

The Bobcats stayed disciplined, taking only three penalties and killing off two of them. Their special teams looked sharp, and the power play unit created multiple scoring chances even though they did not convert.

The chemistry between the lines shone.. The passing was crisp, and the players seemed to anticipate each other’s movements. It felt like a team that had already built trust and rhythm, which is impressive this early in the season.

If today’s performance is any indication, the Bobcats are ready to make noise. Their speed, depth and execution were on full display, and it will be exciting to see how they build on this momentum.

Quinnipiac, now 3-0-0, will host Providence again Saturday, Oct. 4, at M&T Bank Arena in Hamden. Faceoff is set for 3 p.m.