Quinnipiac heads to ECAC semifinals after double OT win

HAMDEN, Conn. (WTNH) -- Yale and Quinnipiac are heading to Atlantic City to play in the semifinals of ECAC championships Friday night. Quinnipiac, now the #2 ranked team in the state, earned its semifinal trip with a dramatic double overtime win over Cornell in a game that didn't end until close to midnight.

"That was probably one of the most nerve racking games, especially when it got to OT. That i've ever been in," said Erik Hartzell.

"I'm exhausted right now," said Kevin Bui.

Exhausted as he was, Kevin Bui probably didn't get a great night of sleep. He played the Bobcat hero last night.

Bui's game winning goal, about 6 minutes into double overtime, pushed Quinnipiac's hopes for an ECAC tournament title into the next round.

"I just didn't want to get hurt in the pile but you know, I was so excited because we worked so hard this year, and you know, our goal was to go to Atlantic City and win a championship and now we're one step closer," said Bui.

The Bobcats were about one minute away from not taking that next step. Trailing 2-1 late in the 3rd, QU tied the game with just 1 minute and 4 seconds to play Clay Harvey beat Cornell goalie Andy Iles who stopped 60 shots on the night. Iles effort drew the praise of fellow puck stopper Erik Hartzell.

"I told him it was probably one of the best goalie performances I've played against and I told him he's one hell of a goalie," said Hartzell.

"It was just a great college hockey game. We had chance after chance after chance and the Cornell goalie was outstanding," said Rand Pecknold.

The bobcats focus is now shifted to Brown and the tournament semi-finals in Atlantic City. Rand Pecknold gave his guys Monday off. Tomorrow they will get ready for the Bears who played QU tough this season but the bobcats feel pretty good after taking care of Cornell.

"Well it hopefully gives us confidence. I mean I think our team overall has a lot of confidence but you know, a win like this can only give them more," said Hartzell.