Can the Bobcats Retake the Nutmeg?
- Ryan Holden
- Apr 1
- 3 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
Some weekends just feel different, and the Nutmeg Classic in late November 2025 was one of those. I was asked to cover it for QBSN, and going into the weekend, I knew it was going to be a great opportunity. Two games in two days, a neutral site environment, and a top-10 matchup to open things up. It felt like more than just showing up and shooting—it felt like a weekend where you’re fully immersed in the experience of covering high-level college hockey.
The first game against UConn was exactly what you would expect from a matchup like that. It was tight the entire way, fast-paced, physical, and played at a really high level. There wasn’t much space on the ice, and from where I was, you could see how small the margins were. Every shift mattered, and it felt like one play, one bounce, or one mistake was going to be the difference.
Quinnipiac battled the entire game and never let it get out of reach. They responded when they needed to and kept themselves in a position to win, which is all you can ask for in a game like that. But late in the game, UConn was able to find the difference, and that ended up being it. A 4-3 loss, and honestly, it felt like a game that could have gone either way. Those are always the toughest ones, because you know just how close it really was.
The second game the next day against Sacred Heart had a completely different feel to it. That’s something I really noticed being there for both games. The energy, the approach, and the overall pace of the game all shifted. Quinnipiac came out composed and in control, and it felt like a team that had reset and knew exactly how they wanted to respond after the loss the day before.
They dictated the pace early, created consistent chances, and didn’t give much of anything defensively. Felicia Frank was a big part of that, as she was steady the entire game and stopped everything that came her way. It wasn’t just big saves—it was her presence and control that kept everything calm in front of her and allowed the team to play with confidence.
Offensively, Quinnipiac did what they needed to do. They got the goals, built the lead, and never let Sacred Heart find a way back into the game. It was a complete performance and a 2-0 win to close out the weekend.
Being there for both games, that contrast is what stood out the most to me. Not just the results, but how quickly things can change from one day to the next. A one-goal loss in a top-10 battle followed by a composed, controlled shutout win less than 24 hours later.
For me, being asked to cover the weekend made it even more meaningful. It wasn’t just about shooting two games—it was about being there for both sides of it. The intensity of a close loss and the response of a bounce-back win, and being able to capture both as they happened.
That’s what makes weekends like this stick with you. Not just the scores, but everything that comes with it and everything you take away from being there.
