THE BASICS:

Score: Quinnipiac 5, Holy Cross 3

Records: Holy Cross (0-1-0, 0-0-0 AHC); Quinnipiac (1-0-0, 0-0-0 ECAC)

Location: Worcester, Mass. (Hart Center)

Date: Friday October 9, 2015

Time: 7:05 p.m.

The Lead: With the game tied at 3-3 in the second period, the Bobcats scored the last two goals of the game as the Holy Cross men's hockey team fell to No. 18 Quinnipiac, 5-3, in front of a packed crowd of 1,588 at the Hart Center in the season opener for both teams. Junior Mike Barrett (Orlando Park, Ill.), sophomore Ryan Ferrill (Havertown, Pa) and senior captain Matt Vidal (Manorville, N.Y.) each found the back of the net for the Crusaders. 

Postgame Press Conference With David Berard & Matt Vidal

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Just 1:27 after the opening face-off, sophomore Scott Pooley (Granger, Ind.)  sent a pass off the boards to Barett who forced the puck past Quinnipiac goalie Michael Garteig. Senior Karl Beckman (Okemos, Mich.) also posted an assist on the goal.
• Shortly after the Crusaders' first goal, Quinnipiac Sam Anas tied the game at 1-1 with a powerful wrist shot off of the face off to send the puck flying into the upper left-hand corner of the net (4:28). He was assisted by Denis St. Travis.
• Holy Cross had its first power play at 16:54 in the first period and they were unable to capitalize. 
• Sophomore goalie Paul Berrafato (Williamsville, N.Y.) finished the first period with six saves, while Garteig finished with seven. 
• An Anas power play goal at the very beginning of the second period (0:48) gave the Bobcats a temporary 2-1 lead.
• The Crusaders quickly responded 12 seconds later (1:00) and gained control of the puck in the ensuing face-off. Together, the Crusaders rushed the net and scored at even strength to even the score at 2-2. Vidal sent the puck to the front of the net to Ferrill who knocked in the puck. Freshman Mitch Collett  (Calgary, Alberta) also had an assist on the goal.
• Shortly after, the Crusaders continued attacking as Collett almost scored on a wrap-around but Garteig made the save. 
• Then, at 7:21, Bo Pieper took a slap shot that soared into the upper left-hand corner of the net to give the Bobcats the lead at 3-2. 
• Berrafato, who would have 13 saves in the second period, had a nice block with his left knee off a slap shot at 9:35. 
• At 11:45, the Crusaders completed a series of passes to get it to Vidal, who scored the equalizer to tie the game at 3-3. Vidal sent a one-timer off a pass from Ferrill in to the right corner of the net in a bang-bang play. Vidal was also assisted by sophomore Tommy Muratore (Mendham, N.J.).
• At 1:50 left in the second, Quinnipiac had four skaters on the ice versus Holy Cross' three, but Berrafato was able to make a big save from the slot.
• Shortly after and for the second time in the game, the Crusaders had too many men on the ice. The Bobcats capitalized on the penalty with a goal by Landon Smith. Berrafato deflected the puck with his knees, but Smith got control of the rebound to convert the goal. He was assisted by sophomores Sean Lawrence and Tanner Macmaster.
• The Crusaders entered the third period trailing 4-3. 
• At 10:20, K.J. Tiefenwerth  fired a shot that Berrafato blocked off his shoulder to keep the score at 4-3.
• The Crusaders threatened with a series of passes from Beckman, to freshman Michael Laffin (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.) to senior Castan Sommer (Shrewsbury, Mass.), who almost scored the equalizer at 12:10, but his shot ricocheted off the post.
• Just 32 seconds later at 12:42, junior Tim Clifton took a shot that just got under the pads of Berrafato. With many players crowded around the net, freshman Chase Priskie was able to pass it to Anas, who served it to Clifton to make the final score of the game 5-3.

 INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Quinnipiac outshot Holy Cross 12-3 in the third period and 35-22 in the game.
• Berrafato recorded 30 saves on the day versus Garteig's 19.
• Holy Cross went 0-5 on the power play while Quinnipiac went 2-5.

 BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• Ferrill was named the game's third star. He scored a total of six goals last year and recorded his first goal of the season tonight, along with an assist.
• Collett tallied his first collegiate point with an assist.
• Rene Rancourt performed the Canadian and American national anthems before tonight's game.

 UP NEXT:

• The Crusaders face the Bobcats again tomorrow afternoon in Hamden, Conn. with the face-off scheduled at 4:00 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.

STAY CONNECTED:

• There are numerous ways to stay connected with the Holy Cross men's hockey team. Follow the Crusaders on Twitter @HCrossMHockey, Facebook and Instagram.