THE BASICS:

Score: Sacred Heart 3, Holy Cross 1
Location: Milford, Conn. (Milford Ice Pavilion)
Records: Holy Cross: (3-5-0, 2-2-0 AHC); Sacred Heart (4-3-1, 3-2-0 AHC)
Date: Saturday, November 7, 2015
Time: 7:05 p.m.

THE LEAD: Justin Danforth recorded the game-winning goal for the Pioneers as the Holy Cross men's hockey team fell to Sacred Heart, 3-1, on Saturday evening at the Milford Ice Pavilion in Atlantic Hockey action.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• With four minutes remaining in the first period, the Crusaders had a 37 second opportunity on the two-man advantage, yet were unable to capitalize. 
• With 47 seconds remaining in the first period, Jacob Brightbill ripped a shot on goal from the top of the circle, but sophomore goalie Paul Berrafato (Williamsville, N.Y.) made an acrobatic glove save to keep the game knotted at zero.
• The Crusaders recorded seven shots in the first period, while the Pioneers tallied five.
• The Crusaders were 0-2 on the only two power plays of the period.
• At 4:50 of the second, Ryan Ferrill (Havertown, Pa.) stole the puck at center ice, proceeded to drive to the net and the rebound bounced out to Brett Mulcahy (Kelowna, British Columbia) who punched in the rebound to make it 1-0. Senior captain Matt Vidal (Manorville, N.Y.) also recorded an assist on the goal.
• At 6:00 of the second, Sacred Heart tallied the equalizer, as Brightbill sent a wrist shot on goal from the right circle, beating Berrafato high to the stick side.
• The Pioneers took a 2-1 lead with 5:44 remaining in the second as Justin Danforth fired a wrist shot from the top of the slot, finding the back of the net over Berrafato's blocker.        
• With 4:59 remaining in the third, Coltyn Hansen fired a shot that hit the crossbar, yet was covered by Berrafato.
• With 1:13 remaining in the third period the Crusaders went on the power play, and pulled Berrafato to make it a six-on-four advantage.
• With 27 seconds remaining in the period, Mitch Nylen recoded an empty net goal to make it 3-1 Pioneers.
• The Crusaders were unable to score in the last minute of play as the Pioneers earned the 3-1 victory.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Holy Cross outshot Sacred Heart 24-18 in the contest.
• Berrafato recorded 15 saves, while Brett Magnus recorded 23 saves.
• Holy Cross went 0-4 on the power play, while Sacred Heart went 0-1.
• Holy Cross won 36 face-offs, while Sacred Heart won 30.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• Mulcahy's goal was his fifth in the last five games.

UP NEXT:

• The Crusaders return to action on Thursday, November 12 as they travel to Colorado Springs, Colo., to face Air Force at 9:05 p.m.