Score: Holy Cross 2, Niagara 1

Records: Holy Cross (9-8-3, 6-5-3 AHC); Niagara (2-15-3, 2-10-2 AHC)

Location: Worcester, Mass. (Hart Center at the Luth Athletic Complex) 

Date: Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017

Time: 7:05 p.m.

THE LEAD: Sophomore forward Michael Laffin scored the game-winner to break a 1-1 tie in the third period as the Holy Cross men's hockey defeated Niagara, 2-1, on Saturday evening at the Hart Center at the Luth Athletic Complex. The Crusaders swept the two-game series as Holy Cross defeated the Purple Eagles, 3-1 on Friday. The Crusaders have now won three straight games.

UNITED STATES MARINES THREE STARS

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Purple Eagles took a 1-0 lead at 3:38 of the first period when Derek Brown scored off a tipped shot.
• Niagara outshot Holy Cross, 11-10 in the first period, while each team went 0-1 on the power play.
• The Crusaders tied the contest at 1-1 at 14:17 of the second period when senior assistant captain Mike Barrett netted a goal on the power play. Junior forward Danny Lopez sent a shot from the blue line that was deflected off Laffin as the puck bounced to Barrett who then fired it to the back of the net.
• Holy Cross outshot Niagara by a 14-7 margin, while the Crusaders went 1-4 on the man-advantage and the Purple Eagles went 0-1.
• At 10:51 of the third period, Laffin scored the game-winner as he blasted a shot to the back of the net.
• With just 56 seconds left, the Purple Eagles went with an empty net but were unable to score the equalizer for the 2-1 final score.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Holy Cross had 32 shots on goal, while Niagara took 24.
• Junior goalie Paul Berrafato posted 23 saves for the Crusaders to earn the victory, while Joe O'Brien had 30 for the Purple Eagles.
• The Crusaders went 1-5 on the power play, while the Purple Eagles went 0-3 on its power play attempts.
• The Crusaders won 34 face-offs, while the Purple Eagles secured 30.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE

• The goal by Laffin is his first game-winner of the season and the second of his career.
• The Crusaders are now 15-9-1 all-time against the Purple Eagles (9-6-0 at home).
• Lopez has posted at least one point in 18 of the 20 games this season. He leads the team with 12 goals and 22 points.
• Barrett has 37 goals and 51 assists for 88 career points.
• The Crusaders are 7-3-2 at home this season.
• Holy Cross takes the season series with Niagara, 3-0-1.

UP NEXT

• Holy Cross is on the road next weekend for a set at Sacred Heart. Puck drops are slated for 7:05 p.m. Friday and 2:05 p.m. Saturday

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.