THE BASICS:

Score: Holy Cross 8, Niagara 2
Records: Holy Cross (1-0-0, 1-0-0 Atlantic Hockey); Niagara (0-1-0, 0-1-0 Atlantic Hockey) 
Location: Lewiston, N.Y. (Dwyer Arena)
Date: Friday, Oct. 7, 2016
Time: 7:05 p.m.

THE LEAD: With the game tied at 2-2 in the second period, the Crusaders scored a school record three goals over 33 seconds as the Holy Cross men's hockey team defeated Niagara, 5-2, in the season opener for both teams. Junior T.J. Moore posted his second career hat-trick in the victory and totaled five points.

UNITED STATES MARINES THREE STARS

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE

• The eight goals scored by the Crusaders were their most in a season opener in 41 years (11-1 win versus Fairfield on Dec. 2, 1975).
• The Crusaders' three goals over 33 seconds set a school record for the fastest three consecutive goals. The record was 42 seconds set on Jan. 26, 2001 versus Fairfield.
• The Crusaders are 11-1-2 in Atlantic Hockey season openers.
• Moore's hat trick is the 21st in the Division I history of the program and the second of his career. His three goals also tied the school record in the Division I history of the program, while his five points are tied for third.
• Freshman Neil Robinson was the first Crusader freshman to score a goal in the season opener in six years as Adam Schmidt and Shayne Stockton each scored a goal versus Notre Dame on Oct. 8, 2010.
• Junior Danny Lopez posted one goal and three assists for four points. His three assists are tied for 10th all-time in the Division I history of the program.
• Senior assistant captain Mike Barrett tallied two goals and two assists for four points. He now has 76 career points.  

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Purple Eagles took a 1-0 lead at 4:22 of the first period when Larry Smith blasted a shot from the blue line through traffic and to the back of the net for the power play goal.
• The Crusaders answered at 17:51, when Moore knocked in a loose puck from in front of the net to tie the game at 1-1. Lopez and Barrett each posted an assist on the goal.
• With just 1:04 left in the first period, Niagara's Kris Spriggs went on a breakaway but his shot hit the post as the game remained tied at 1-1.
• Holy Cross outshot Niagara, 8-6, in the first period, while the Crusaders went 0-3 on the power play and the Purple Eagles went 1-2.
• The Purple Eagles took a 2-1 lead with a shorthanded goal at 5:47 of the second period. Stanislav Dzakhov fired a pass from the right face-off circle to Stephen Pietrobon at the left post who sent a one timer past the stick side of junior goalie Paul Berrafato.
• At 7:25 of the second period and on the power play, Barrett tied the game at 2-2. Moore tallied an assist on the goal.
• At 12:21, Moore scored on a wrist shot. Lopez and junior assistant captain Tommy Muratore posted an assist.  
• Just 11 seconds later, junior Ryan Ferrill found the back of the net to increase the Crusader lead to 4-2. Sophomore Johnny Coughlin and freshman Charlie Barrow each tallied an assist on the goal.
• Then just 22 seconds later, Moore clinched his second career hat-trick to give Holy Cross a 5-2 lead. Barrett and sophomore Spencer Trapp each tallied an assist. The Crusaders netted three goals over 33 seconds to set a school Division I record.
• Holy Cross outshot Niagara, 12-9, in the second period, while the Crusaders went 1-4 on the man-advantage and the Purple Eagles went 0-4.
• At 5:25 of the third period, Barrett netted his second goal of the game to give the Crusaders a 6-2 advantage. Moore and Lopez each posted an assist.
• Then at 9:44, Robinson scored his first collegiate goal. Junior captain Brett Mulcahy and Trapp each posted an assist.
• Lopez scored the Crusaders' eighth goal of the game at 12:08 while on the power play. Ferrill posted an assist.
• Neither team scored again for the 8-2 win. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Holy Cross outshot Niagara, 38-18.
• Berrafato recorded 16 saves to earn the win, while Jackson Teichroeb posted 15 saves and allowed five goals, and Guillaume Therien tallied 15 saves and allowed three goals.
• The Crusaders went 3-10 on the power play, while the Purple Eagles went 1-8.
• Niagara won 34 face-offs, while the Crusaders secured 33.

UP NEXT

• The Crusaders return to action on Saturday, Oct. 8 when they conclude the two-game series with Niagara at 7:05 p.m.

BE PART OF THE ACTION THIS SEASON

• To purchase tickets for the 2016-2017 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.