MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. – The Holy Cross men's ice hockey team tied Robert Morris, 3-3, in overtime before falling in the shootout, 1-0, on Saturday night at Clearview Arena.
 
The Crusaders (4-0-1, 1-0-1 AHA) got on the board at the 3:24 mark of the first period on a power play goal by sophomore Devin Phillips. Senior Jack Ricketts sent a one-time shot just wide of the net that ricocheted to sophomore Matt DeBoer. DeBoer sent a quick pass across the mouth of the goal, finding Phillips' stick on the post to tap in the first goal of the game.
 
Just under eight minutes later, freshman Ty Gagno recorded his first collegiate goal to extend the Holy Cross lead to 2-0. Sophomore Mack Oliphant sent the puck into the offensive zone, which Phillips got to before the defense at the faceoff dot. Circling back up to the blue line, Phillips sent a wrist shot onto the net that Gagno tipped up over the shoulder of the Colonials' (1-2-2, 0-1-2 AHA) goaltender.
 
Halfway through the second period, senior Alec Cicero picked up his first goal of the season, a power play strike, to extend the lead to 3-0. Junior Liam McLinskey passed the puck from the corner to senior Lucas Thorne at the blue line. Thorne sent a quick pass to Cicero at the top of the left circle, where he fired a one-timer past the RMU netminder.
 
Robert Morris picked up their first goal of the night with 1:41 remaining in the second period to bring the score to 3-1 going into the second intermission. In the third period, Robert Morris drew five power play opportunities, netting two goals to tie the game at three all.
 
The Crusaders were responsible for the only shots on goal in the overtime period but failed to score. The Colonials netted their first shootout attempt, which proved to be the difference, earning them the extra point in the Atlantic Hockey standings.

Senior netminder Jason Grande recorded 16 saves in the loss, while Robert Morris' Chad Veltri posted 46 in the win.
 
The Crusaders return home to face RIT on Friday, Oct. 27 and Saturday, Oct. 28 at the Hart Center Rink. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. both nights.
 
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