COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — The Holy Cross men's ice hockey team defeated Air Force Academy, 2-1, in Atlantic Hockey Association action Saturday night at Cadet Ice Arena.
 
The Crusaders have won three straight and move to 5-12-1 (4-7-1 AHA) while the Falcons have lost their last five and fall to 6-10-2 (2-7-1 AHA).
 
THE GOALTENDERS:

• Crusaders: junior Jason Grande - 4-2-0, 27 saves, .964 save percentage.
• Falcons: Guy Blessing - 5-8-1, 24 saves, .882 save percentage.

 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• A shorthanded rush by juniors Tyler Ghirardosi and Alec Cicero in transition with 7:23 remaining in the first period led to the 1-0 lead for the Crusaders. In the two-on-three situation, Ghirardosi shook two defenders forcing the Falcons goalie to commit before crossing the puck to Cicero in front of the open net.
• Three minutes later, Ghirardosi found himself back on the stat sheet after senior Bobby Young found him open in front of the net on the power play.
• Air Force cut the lead to 2-1 halfway through the second period on a shorthanded strike by Austin Schwartz.

 
BEYOND THE BOX:

• The Crusaders held Air Force to 1-for-14 on the powerplay over the two-game set.
• Junior Jack Ricketts has recorded at least one point in the last three games.
• This is the second straight time that Holy Cross has swept Air Force in Colorado Springs (Feb. 11-12, 2022).
• Head Coach Bill Riga is now 4-0 against Air Force.

UP NEXT:

• The Crusaders will take a three week break before returning home to face No. 2-ranked Quinnipiac University on Friday, Dec. 30.
• Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. ET.

FOLLOW THE CRUSADERS 
Be sure to follow the Holy Cross men's ice hockey team — and all things Crusader Athletics — on social media!
Twitter - @HCrossMHockey | @goholycross
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