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Peca leads Quinnipiac over Union

Quinnipiac became the final team to punch its ticket to the 2013 NCAA Frozen Four in Pittsburgh.

By Jeff Cox
Quinnipiac goaltender Eric Hartzell
Quinnipiac goaltender Eric Hartzell
Quinnipiac Athletics

Matthew Peca recorded a natural hat trick in a span of 3:12 in the first period and added a second period assist to lead Quinnipiac to a 5-1 victory over Union in the East Regional Final. Peca's feat was the fastest hat trick in NCAA Tournament history. The sophomore from Pembroke, Ont. is a draft pick of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Bobcats will advance to the 2013 Frozen Four in Pittsburgh for the first time in school history. Quinnipiac had only appeared in the NCAA Tournament once before this season. That year, Rand Pecknold's team was routed by Cornell in the first round.

Jeff Cox covers college hockey for SBNation. Follow him on twitter @JeffCoxSBNation. He will have a more thorough recap following the press conferences.