THE BASICS:
Score: Holy Cross 3, Sacred Heart 0
Records: Holy Cross (2-4-1, 2-0-1 Atlantic Hockey); Sacred Heart (2-5-0, 2-3-0 Atlantic Hockey)
Location: Milford, Conn. (Milford Ice Pavilion)
Date: Friday, Oct. 31, 2014
Time: 7:05 p.m.
The Lead: Junior Jake Bolton (Ellington, Conn.), sophomore Mike Barrett (Orland Park, Ill.) and freshman Danny Lopez (Barrington Hills, Ill.) each scored a goal as the Holy Cross men's hockey team defeated Sacred Heart, 3-0, at the Milford Ice Pavilion on Friday night. The Crusaders' 2-0-1 Atlantic Hockey record is their best start to the league season since going 3-0-0 in 2005-2006. These two teams will meet again on Saturday, Nov. 1, at the Hart Center in Worcester, Mass., at 7:05 p.m. Youths wearing their Halloween costumes will be admitted at half price for $4 dollars. Before the game there will be a safe zone for trick or treating in the lobby conducted by Holy Cross athletic teams. For ticket information for the 2014-2015 season go to goholycross.com/tickets or call (508) 793-2573.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The Crusaders took a 1-0 lead at 6:51 of the first period when Bolton scored his team-best third goal of the season as he sent a shot from the blue line that deflected off a Pioneer and went to the back of the net. Freshmen Scott Pooley (Granger, Ind.) and Brett Mulcahy (Kelowna, British Columbia) each posted an assist. The assist was Mulcahy's first collegiate point.
- Holy Cross outshot the Pioneers, 11-7 for the first period. Each team went 0-1 on the power play.
- With the Crusaders on a five-on-three power play, Barrett netted his first goal of the season to increase the lead to 2-0 at 1:12 of the second period. Freshman Matt Scarth (Calgary, Alberta) sent a pass from the right face-off circle to Barrett at the left post as he sent one-timer past Alex Vazzano. Junior Karl Beckman (Okemos, Mich.) also tallied an assist. The assist by Scarth was his first collegiate point.
- Holy Cross outshot the Pioneers, 23-18 for the period. The Crusaders went 1-2 on the man-advantage and the Pioneers went 0-3.
- Lopez increased the Crusaders' lead to 3-0 at 11:10 of the third period when he scored his first collegiate goal off a rebound from a shot by Beckman. Junior Joe McNamara (Chestnut Hill, Mass.) also tallied an assist. The goal was the last of the game for the 3-0 final.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- Holy Cross outshot the Pioneers, 30-27.
- The Crusaders went 1-3 on the power play, while the Pioneers went 0-5.
- Senior captain Matt Ginn (Lindsay, Ontario) made 27 saves for the Crusaders, while Vazzano also posted 27 saves for the Pioneers.
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:
- Ginn now has 2,913 career saves. He is three saves away from setting the Holy Cross all-time career saves record. Paul Pijanowski (1984-1987) holds the school's all-time record with 2,915 saves.
- The Crusaders' 2-0-1 Atlantic Hockey record is their best start to the conference season since going 3-0-0 in 2005-2006.
- Lopez scored a goal in his collegiate debut.
- Mulcahy and Scarth each posted their first collegiate point with an assist.
- Ginn now has five career shutouts which are second all-time on the school's Division I all-time list.
UP NEXT:
- The Crusaders will return to action when they host Sacred Heart on Saturday, Nov. 1, at the Hart Center 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 @HCrossMHockey 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.
