THE BASICS:

Score: Merrimack 2, Holy Cross 1

Records: Holy Cross (0-2-0); Merrimack (2-0-0)

Location: North Andover, Mass. (Lawler Rink)

Date: Saturday, Oct. 11, 2014

Time: 7:00 p.m.

The Lead: Hampus Gustafsson scored the game-winner for the Warriors as the Holy Cross men's hockey team fell to Hockey East opponent Merrimack, 2-1, at Lawler Rink on Saturday evening.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Merrimack took a 1-0 lead at 3:30 of the first period when Jace Hennig knocked in a loose puck from in front of the net for his first goal of the season.
• The Crusaders then tied the contest at 1-1 at 11:22 of the first period when junior forward Castan Sommer (Shrewsbury, Mass.) tipped a slap shot by junior defenseman Jake Bolton (Ellington, Conn.) past Merrimack goalie Rasmus Tirronen for the equalizer. The goal was Sommer's first of the season. Sophomore defenseman Logan Smith (Littleton, Colo.) also posted an assist.
• The Warriors went out to a 2-1 lead at 9:17 of the second period when Gustafsson netted a power play goal.
• At 5:28 of the third period, Merrimack looked to increase its lead but senior captain Matt Ginn (Lindsay, Ontario) made a save on a breakaway by Mathieu Tibbet.
• While on the power player, Merrimack's Marc Biega hit the post with a slap shot at 9:25 and then just 14 seconds later Gustafsson also hit the post.
• The Crusaders were unable to score the equalizer for the 2-1 final score.   

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Ginn recorded 32 saves for the Crusaders while Tirronen made 26 saves for the Warriors.
• The Crusaders went 0-3 on the power play, while the Warriors went 1-4.
• Merrimack outshot Holy Cross 34-27, while the Warriors won 38 faceoffs and the Crusaders took 30.                                                                                                                    

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• Sommer's goal was his 16th of his career.
• Hennig scored his first collegiate goal for the Warriors.

UP NEXT:

• The Crusaders return to action on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 17-18, when they host Atlantic Hockey opponent AIC. Both games are set to start at 7:05 p.m.

BE PART OF THE ACTION THIS SEASON:

• To purchase tickets for the 2014-2015 Holy Cross men's hockey season go to goholycross.com/tickets or call (508) 793-2573.

KEEP CONNECTED:

• There are numerous ways to stay connected with the Holy Cross men's hockey team. Follow the Crusaders on Twitter @HCHockey and on Facebook. You can also get the latest news and results on the team sent directly to your e-mail. To sign up for e-mail alerts go here: http://www.goholycross.com/list-signup.