THE BASICS:
Score: Providence 4, Holy Cross 1
Records: Holy Cross (0-3-0, 0-0-0 AHC); Providence (2-0-1, 0-0-0 HEA)
Location: Providence, R.I. (Schneider Arena)
Date: Friday, October 16, 2015
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Lead: Junior Mike Barrett (Orland Park, Ill.) notched his third goal of the season as the Crusaders fell to No. 2 Providence, 4-1, in front of a sold-out crowd of 3,030 at Schneider Arena on Friday night. The Crusaders outshot the Friars by a 32-27 margin.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Sophomore Danny Lopez (Barrington Hills, Ill.) nearly put the Crusaders up 1-0 six minutes in, as his shot was deflected in front of the net and rang off the crossbar.
- Senior Matt Vidal (Manorville, N.Y.) came racing into the offensive zone and deked past a defender for a backhand chance 15 minutes into the game, but was unable to find the back of the net.
- Nick Saracino put the Friars on the board first with a glove side wrist shot at 17:30 of the first period.
- The Friars outshot the Crusaders 7-6 in the first period. Providence had the lone power play opportunity in the first, and were unable to convert.
- Brandon Tanev put the Friars up 2-0 just eight seconds into the second period with a quick shot as he entered the Holy Cross zone.
- Providence went on a five-minute power play early in the second, and Mark Jankowski found the back of the net for Providence at 4:18 of the period. Sophomore goaltender Paul Berrafato (Williamsville, N.Y.) took over in net following the tally.
- Barrett got the Crusaders on the board at 18:04 of the second period off a pass from senior Jake Bolton (Ellington, Conn.), who got the puck from sophomore Ryan Ferrill (Havertown, Pa.) off a faceoff win, making it 3-1.
- Sophomore T.J. Moore (Edina, Minn.) nearly notched another goal for Holy Cross just 20 seconds later, as his shot ricocheted off the post.
- John Gilmour nearly scored for the Friars off a cross pass in the late stages of the second, but Berrafato made a remarkable slide across the crease to stop it with his blocker.
- The Crusaders outshot the Friars 13-12 in the second. Providence was 1-for-3 on the power play in the period, while Holy Cross was 0-for-2.
- Ferrill and Vidal gained a 2-on-1 opportunity 6:39 into the third period, but Ferrill's glove-side shot was grabbed by Ellis.
- Jake Walman made it 4-1 Friars 7:38 into the third with a shot from the half-boards.
- Freshman Spencer Trapp (White City, Saskatchewan) created a good scoring chance with five minutes remaining as he spun past a Providence defender and opened a shooting lane, but Ellis was there with the pad to deny him.
- The Crusaders outshot the Friars 13-8 in the third period. Holy Cross was 0-for-3 on the power play in the third period, while Providence was 0-for-1.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- Freshman Tommy Nixon (Sherwood Park, Alberta) made seven stops and allowed three goals in the first 24:18 of the game, while Berrafato made 16 saves and allowed one goal in the remaining 35:42.
- Ellis made 31 saves for the Friars to earn the win.
- The Crusaders outshot the Friars 32-27.
- Providence had the edge in the faceoff circle, taking 36 draws while Holy Cross won 32.
- The Friars were 1-for-4 on the power play, while the Crusaders were 0-for-4 with the man advantage.
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:
- Bolton now has 37 career points (10g,26a), which is the 10th most by a Crusader defenseman in the Division I era.
- Barrett registered his team-best third goal of the season, and now has 49 career points (23g,26a).
- Providence unveiled its 2015 National Championship banner prior to Friday night's game.
UP NEXT:
- The Crusaders will return to action when they open their Atlantic Hockey season at Canisius next Friday and Saturday, Oct. 23-24 with both contests slated to begin at 4:05 p.m.
BE PART OF THE ACTION THIS SEASON:
- To purchase tickets for the 2015-2016 Holy Cross men's hockey season, call 1-844-GOCROSS or visit GoHolyCross.com/Tickets.
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