HAMDEN, Conn. -- Fourth-ranked Providence earned a 3-3 tie at No. 5 Quinnipiac on Wednesday night in front of 3,520 fans at the High Point Solutions Arena. Sophomore Brooks Behling’s power-play goal at 3:53 of the third period and Jon Gillies’ helped the Friars to tie. Behling's goal was the first of his career.
Ross Mauermann and Nick Saracino scored first period goals for the Friars (10-2-2, 6-2-0 HEA). Sam Anas led the Bobcats (12-2-2, 6-1-1 ECAC) with a goal and an assist.
Matthew Peca gave Quinnipiac an early 1-0 lead at 1:14 of the first when he skated in on what turned out to be a two-on-one chance down low, beating Gillies from just outside the goal crease to the far side for his third goal of the year. The Friars answered at 6:00 when Trevor Mingoia, skating in his first game as a Friar, fired a pass across the top of the crease from the near corner that Mauermann one-timed into the back of the net for his 12th goal of the year.
The Friars took a 2-1 lead at 13:05 of the first when Saracino picked off a Quinnipiac breakout pass and fired a wrist shot high past Garteig for his second goal of the season. At 16:55 of the first, the Bobcats tied the game at 2-2 when Anas was able to slide the puck through traffic in the slot to onrushing defenseman Devon Toews, who netted his first career goal on the play. Connor Jones also assisted on the play.
In the second period, Quinnipiac took a 3-2 lead when Anas converted a one-timer from the slot. Connor Jones and Kellen Jones assisted on the play, with Kellen chipping a pass up to Connor, who skated in on the two-on-one chance with Anas.
Skating with a five-on-three advantage early on the third period following a pair of simultaneous minors, the Friars tied the game for a fourth time when Behling fired a one-timer high past Garteig at 3:53 from the middle of the faceoff circle to Garteig’s right. John Gilmour and Shane Luke assisted on the play.
Gillies, who made a key save on Peca at 1:34 of overtime, finished the night with a season high 45 saves. Garteig made 19 saves for Quinnipiac, including a right pad save on Noel Acciari in overtime to preserve the tie.
