WORCESTER, Mass. – The Holy Cross men's hockey team was defeated by Niagara, 6-0, at the Hart Center on Saturday night.

Purple Eagles (11-13-2, 10-8-2 AHC) scored four goals in the opening period. The Crusaders (10-9-7, 9-5-6 AHC) battled back in the second period, with 15 shots, but were unable to get on the board.

Niagara went on to get two more goals in the third period to take the game, 6-0.

HOW IT HAPPENED

1-0 NU (1st, 12:25, EV): After a turnover on the defensive blue line, Stanislav Dzakhov fired a shot from the slot that went just under the cross bar.

2-0 NU (1st, 13:59, EV): Kris Spriggs tipped a point shot from Nic Mucci from the slot that went in five-hole.

3-0 NU (1st, 14:15, EV): After a scrum in front, Derian Pouffe snuck one in.

4-0 NU (1st, 18:07, EV): A point shot wrapped around to Nick Farmer behind the goal. Farmer fed Dzakhov in the slot for a one-timer.

5-0 NU (3rd, 7:46, EV): Dzakhov capitalized on a scrum in front.

6-0 NU (3rd, 10:35, EV): San King buried a wrap around

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Niagara outshot Holy Cross, 41-26.
• Paul Berrafato made 35 saves.
• The Crusaders blocked 14 shots.
• Holy Cross won 44% of faceoffs.

UP NEXT

Holy Cross hosts RIT for its last home series of the season on Jan. 26 and 27. Puck drop is at 7:05 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

BE PART OF THE ACTION THIS SEASON

To purchase tickets for the 2017-2018 Holy Cross men's hockey season, call 1-844-GOCROSS or visit GoHolyCross.com/Tickets.