THE BASICS:

Score: Holy Cross 4, Niagara 1
Records: Holy Cross (6-5-4, 5-1-4 AHC); Niagara (3-10-0, 3-6-0 AHC)
Location: Lewiston, N.Y. (Dwyer Arena)
Date: Friday, Dec. 5, 2014
Time: 7:05 p.m.            
The Lead: Junior Castan Sommer (Shrewsbury, Mass.) scored the game-winner as the Holy Cross men's hockey team defeated Niagara, 4-1, on Friday night at Dwyer Arena in Atlantic Hockey action. With the win, Holy Cross has won three straight and are 5-1-3 in its last nine games. The Crusaders' 5-1-4 (14 points) Atlantic Hockey record is their best after the first 10 AHC games since the 2005-2006 season when they were 7-2-1 (15 points). Sophomores Brett McKinnon (Kelowna, British Columbia) and Mike Barrett (Orland Park, Ill.) each posted one goal and one assist, while junior Joe McNamara (Chestnut Hill, Mass.) tallied three assists. These two teams will conclude the two game-series on Saturday, Dec. 6, at Dwyer Arena at 7:05 p.m.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Crusaders took a 1-0 lead at 3:28 of the first period when McKinnon fired a shot from the face-off circle past the stick side of Jackson Teichroeb for his fourth goal of the season. Barrett and McNamara each posted an assist on the goal.   
• At 10:48, Sommer netted his third goal of the year when he tipped a shot by sophomore Logan Smith (Littleton, Colo.). Junior Brett Lubanski (Farmington Hills, Mich.) also tallied an assist.  
• Holy Cross outshot Niagara, 11-5 in the first period, while the Purple Eagles went 0-2 on the power play.
• Niagara cut the Crusaders' lead to 2-1 at 13:45 of the second period when Derian Plouffe found the back of the net as he tipped a shot by Matt Dineen.
• At 16:58, Chris Lochner attempted to tie the game but his shot hit the post.
• Niagara outshot Holy Cross for the second period, 15-7, while the Crusaders went 0-2 on the man-advantage and the Purple Eagles went 0-1.  
• The Crusaders made it a 3-1 game at 3:20 of the third period, when Barrett blasted a shot that deflected off a Niagara players' stick and past Teichroeb for a power play tally. The goal was his third of the season. Junior Jake Bolton (Ellington, Conn.) and McNamara each posted an assist.
• At 16:39, the Crusaders scored their second power play goal when freshman T.J. Moore (Edina, Minn.) fired a shot over the glove of Teichroeb for his fourth goal of the season. McKinnon and McNamara each posted an assist. The goal would be the last of the game for the 4-1 final score.  

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Holy Cross outshot Niagara, 30-29.
• The Crusaders went 2-6 on the power play while the Purple Eagles went 0-4.
• Ginn recorded 28 saves, while Teichroeb posted 26.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• The Crusaders' 5-1-4 record (14 points) is their best after the first 10 Atlantic Hockey games since the 2005-2006 season when they were 7-2-1 (15 points).
• Holy Cross has outscored its opponents by a 13-3 margin over the last three games.
• The Crusaders have won three in a row versus the Purple Eagles. Last year, Holy Cross defeated Niagara, 4-2 and 3-2 on Jan. 17-18, 2014. Both games were played at Dwyer Arena.
• Sommer's game-winner was the third of his career.
• The three assists for McNamara was a career-best.

UP NEXT:

• The Crusaders return to action on Saturday, Dec. 6, when they play at Niagara at Dwyer Arena 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.