THE BASICS:
Score: Holy Cross 4, Niagara 4 (OT)
Records: Holy Cross (1-0-1, 1-0-1 Atlantic Hockey); Niagara (0-1-1, 0-1-1 Atlantic Hockey)
Location: Lewiston, N.Y. (Dwyer Arena)
Date: Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016
Time: 7:05 p.m.
THE LEAD: Junior T.J. Moore set school records when he netted his second straight hat trick and the third of his career as the Holy Cross men's hockey team tied Niagara, 4-4. With the Crusaders trailing 4-3, sophomore Michael Laffin tied the game with 1:20 left in the third period.
UNITED STATES MARINES THREE STARS
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE
- The 12 goals scored by the Crusaders are their most through the first two games of the season in 29 years as they also scored 12 in the first two games of the 1987-1988 season.
- Moore has six goals and two assists for eight points over the first two games of the season.
- Moore is the first player in the program's Division I history to record two straight hat tricks. He is also the first player to post three career hat-tricks and the third Crusader to have a hat trick in a period. Tyler McGregor posted a hat trick in the first period in the 10-3 win versus Mercyhurst on Nov. 11, 2005, while Adam Schmidt had a hat trick in the second period in the 6-4 victory versus Bentley on Feb. 25, 2012.
- Moore's hat trick is the 22nd in the Division I history of the program. His three goals also tied a school record.
- Senior assistant captain Mike Barrett posted two assists. He has two goals and four assists for six points over the first two games. For his career, he has 35 goals and 43 assists for 78 points.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Niagara took a 1-0 lead at 6:49 of the first period when Stephen Pietrobon sent a pass to Nick Farmer who fired a one-timer past the stick side of junior goalie Paul Berrafato.
- The Crusaders tied the contest at 1-1 at 9:52 while on the power play when Moore scored his fourth goal of the season on a wrist shot. Junior captain Brett Mulcahy and sophomore Spencer Trapp each tallied an assist.
- The Purple Eagles went out in front when Sean King found the back of the net with a power play goal at 10:15.
- The Crusaders responded to tie the game at 2-2 with a power play goal by Moore at 18:35. Barrett and Laffin each posted an assist.
- Then just 1:06 later, Moore recorded his second straight hat trick and the third of his career to give the Crusaders a 3-2 lead. Junior Scott Pooley and Barrett each posted an assist.
- Niagara outshot Holy Cross, 10-9, while the Crusaders went 2-4 on the power play and the Purple Eagles went 1-2.
- Niagara tied the game at 3-3 at 1:53 of the second period with a goal by Johnny Curran.
- Niagara outshot Holy Cross, 13-10, while the Crusaders went 0-1 on the man-advantage and the Purple Eagles went 0-2.
- The Purple Eagles took a 4-3 lead at 13:15 when Kris Spriggs scored his first career goal.
- With 1:24 left in the third period, the Crusaders went with an empty-net and just four seconds later Laffin tied the game with his first goal of the season. Pooley and freshman Charlie Barrow each posted an assist.
- Neither team was able to find the back of the net in overtime for the 4-4 final score.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Niagara outshot Holy Cross, 39-29.
- Berrafato recorded 35 saves, while Joe O'Brien tallied 19 saves after entering the game in the second period.
- The Crusaders went 2-8 on the power play, while the Purple Eagles went 1-6.
- Niagara won 45 face-offs, while the Crusaders secured 41.
UP NEXT
- The Crusaders return to action on Saturday, Oct. 15 when they host No. 10 Providence at the DCU Center at 7:05 p.m. Go here for tickets.
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
