After 29 years coaching the Quinnipiac Bobcats men’s ice hockey team, Rand Pecknold finally got to celebrate a national title.
Quinnipiac topped Minnesota with a dramatic overtime finish in the NCAA Frozen Four championship on Saturday, giving the school its first-ever title in ice hockey.
It was the culmination of nearly three decades of coaching the Bobcats for Pecknold, who became visibly emotional while talking with ESPN’s Colby Cohen after the seismic victory.
In fact, Pecknold actually asked Cohen to give him a hug during the postgame chat, which Cohen happily obliged. After the two shared a quick embrace, it was back to talking about Quinnipiac’s huge night.
"I'm just trying not to cry. I don't think I can do this. I'm just proud. It's just awesome, awesome. Sorry. I can't, I can't. I need a hug, give me a hug." Quinnipiac Bobcats' HC Rand Pecknold got emotional, and got a hug, during an on-broadcast postgame interview Saturday. pic.twitter.com/jQEf6g4tAE
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 9, 2023
The ESPN broadcast caught an awesome split-screen of Pecknold and Cohen hugging while two Bobcats embraced in celebration on the ice.
It was a special moment for everyone involved, as Quinnipiac finally got to the top of the icy mountain and Pecknold finally got his long-awaited championship.
Hey, we’d all want a big hug after accomplishing such a major career milestone.
Feature image courtesy of ESPN.