PITTSBURGH, Pa. – The Holy Cross men's hockey team defeated Robert Morris, 2-0, in the first game of the Atlantic Hockey First Round playoffs. The Crusaders' win marks the program's first playoff win since 2015 and the first-ever playoff win over Robert Morris. Neil Robinson and Pete Kessel scored as Matt Radomsky picked up his second shutout with 31 saves.
 
Both teams generated chances through the first period, but neither converted. Matt Radomsky turned aside 14 shots and the Crusaders put nine shots of their own on the Robert Morris goal. Holy Cross blocked 11 shots in the first 20 minutes, led by Bryce Dolan and Erkka Vanska, who each blocked two.
 
The second period saw both teams' special teams' units as five penalties were called. Holy Cross' best chance of the period came on a five-on-three opportunity. The Crusaders saw three power play chances and killed off two Robert Morris power plays. The Crusaders led the shot count in the middle frame, 14-8.
 
Four minutes into the third period, the Crusaders found themselves with 1:56 of a five-on-three to kill. Just after killing off both penalties, Neil Robinson scored his 10^th of the year, banging home a rebound. Holy Cross proceeded to outshoot Robert Morris, 16-9, in the final frame.
 
With 1:32 remaining in regulation, Robert Morris took a five-minute head contact penalty and were forced to skate five-on-five with the goalie pulled. Pete Kessel sealed the Crusader victory with an empty net goal with seven seconds remaining.
 
Matt Radomsky made 31 saves to give the program their first playoff shutout since the 2008-09 when they topped AIC 1-0 in overtime.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
1-0 HC | 3^rd – 6:18 EV: Nick Hale dumped the puck into traffic in front of the slot for Jake Pappalardo to collect on the right post. Pappalardo fired a shot off of RMU's Kaplemaster's pad that deflected to Neil Robinson on the left post. Robinson lifted the puck under the cross bar to score.
2-0 HC | 3^rd – 19:53 EN: Matt Slick and Jack Surowiec worked the puck along the half wall in the defensive zone and Surowiec sent a high chip towards the far blue line. Pete Kessel out-hustled two Robert Morris defensemen to collect the puck and put it into the empty net.

NOTES & NUMBERS

• Holy Cross outshot Robert Morris, 39-31.
• The Crusaders killed off six penalties.
• The Crusaders blocked 20 shots, led by Dalton Skelly who blocked five.
• Six different Crusaders notched a point in the game.

 
UP NEXT
Holy Cross will face Robert Morris in game two of the Atlantic Hockey First Round on March 7 at 7:05 p.m.