THE BASICS:

Score: Canisius 2, Holy Cross 1 (OT)
Records: Holy Cross (8-7-5, 7-2-5 AHC); Canisius (7-8-5, 6-4-4 AHC)
Location: Buffalo, N.Y. (HARBORCENTER)
Date: Friday, Jan. 9, 2015
Time: 11:05 a.m.            
The Lead: Ryan Schmelzer scored the game-winning goal in overtime as the Holy Cross men's hockey team fell to Canisius, 2-1, on Friday at HARBORCENTER in Atlantic Hockey action. These two teams will conclude their two-game series at HARBORCENTER on Saturday, Jan. 10 at 7:35 p.m.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• At 17:36 of the first period, Canisius' Mitch McCrank went on a breakaway but senior captain Matt Ginn (Lindsay, Ontario) made a glove save as the first period went scoreless. Canisius outshot Holy Cross, 8-6.
• The Golden Griffins took a 1-0 lead at 2:59 of the second period when a shot by Chris Rumble deflected off a Crusader stick and past Ginn. 
• The Crusaders tied the contest at 1-1 at 10:08 of the second period with a power play goal by junior Joe McNamara (Chestnut Hill, Mass.). Sophomore Mike Barrett (Orland Park, Ill.) sent a pass to McNamara who knocked in the puck from right in front of the net. Junior Jake Bolton (Ellington, Conn.)  also posted an assist on the goal.   
• The Crusaders outshot the Golden Griffins, 9-6, for the second period, while Holy Cross went 1-2 on the man-advantage.
• Neither team were able to find the back of the net in the third period as the game went to overtime.
• With 3:50 left in overtime, Schmelzer scored off a rebound from a shot by Ralph Cuddemi to give the Golden Griffins the 2-1 victory.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Canisius outshot Holy Cross, 27-24.
• The Crusaders went 1-2 on the only two power plays of the game.
• Ginn recorded 25 saves, while Keegan Asmundson posted 23 saves for the Golden Griffins.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• McNamara's goal was his first of the season and the second of his career. This season he also has seven assists for eight points, while he has 29 assists for 31 career points.
• With his assist, Bolton now has a team-best 13 points with five goals and eight assists.

UP NEXT:

• The Crusaders return to action on Saturday, Jan. 10, when they play Canisius at HARBORCENTER in Buffalo at 7:35 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.