FAIRFIELD, Conn. — The Holy Cross men's ice hockey team fell to Sacred Heart University, 4-1, in Atlantic Hockey Association action Saturday night at Martire Family Arena.
 
Sacred Heart improves to 12-9-2 (11-4-2 AHA), while the Crusaders move to 7-14-3 (6-8-2 AHA).

THE GOALTENDERS:

• Crusaders: sophomore Thomas Gale – 1-8-2, 21 saves, .875 save percentage.
• Pioneers: Luke Lush – 10-8-2, 22 saves, .957 save percentage.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Junior Tyler Ghirardosi got the Crusaders on the board at the end of the first. Sophomore Matt Shatsky received a pass from freshman Matt DeBoer and took a shot from the blue line, finding Ghirardosi on the right post for the tip-in goal.
• Sacred Heart tied the game on a power play goal by Kevin Lombardi with four seconds remaining in the second period.
• The Pioneers took the lead in the third period on a shot by Daniel Ebrahim that snuck through Gale. Four minutes later, they would take a two-goal lead on a power play goal by Conner Hutchinson.
• Sacred Heart capped off the scoring with an empty net goal with 1:27 remaining in the contest.

 
BEYOND THE BOX:

• This was the ninth time this season Gale has recorded 20+ saves in a game.
• The Crusaders narrowly edged the Pioneers in faceoffs, 31-24.

 
UP NEXT:

• Holy Cross heads back home to face RIT on Friday, Jan. 27, and Saturday, Jan. 28. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. both nights.
• Friday is Teddy Bear Toss night, where fans are encouraged to bring stuffed animals to throw on the ice during the first intermission. All stuffed animals will be donated to a local charity.
• Saturday is the men's ice hockey Alumni Game, and prior to the matchup there will be a ceremony to honor James Sixsmith '07. Sixsmith was named to the inaugural Atlantic Hockey Hall of Honor Class this fall.

 
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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