WORCESTER, Mass. — The Holy Cross men's ice hockey team shutout Niagara, 3-0, in Atlantic Hockey Association action Friday night at the Hart Center Rink.
Holy Cross improves to 13-16-3 (12-10-2 AHA), while the Purple Eagles fall to 15-14-3 (9-12-3 AHA).
THE GOALTENDERS:
- Crusaders: sophomore Thomas Gale – 3-9-2, 23 saves, 1.000 save percentage.
- Purple Eagles: Chad Veltri – 14-12-3, 16 saves, .889 save percentage.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The two teams played even for the first twenty minutes. Niagara outshot Holy Cross 10-4 in the frame and killed off the lone penalty of the period.
- Sophomore Liam McLinskey broke the scoreless tie three minutes into the second period. Freshman Mack Oliphant wrestled the puck off the boards at the blue line, passing across to junior Matt Guerra. Guerra found McLinskey in the slot, where he made a nifty move to beat an outstretched Veltri.
- The Crusaders penalty kill unit shutdown the Niagara power play in the second, holding them to just two shots during their two opportunities.
- Junior Jack Ricketts extended his point streak to eight games at the 13:51 mark of the third period, giving the Crusaders a much needed two-goal buffer with just under half a period left to play. Junior Jack Robilotti poked the puck out of Niagara's possession, where junior Alec Cicero was able to chip it ahead. Ricketts turned on the jets to beat the closest defender and create a breakaway opportunity, beating Veltri with a high shot after faking low.
- Senior Alex Peterson secured the 3-0 win with a shorthanded empty net goal. The Purple Eagles drew a penalty and pulled Veltri to create a 6-on-4 opportunity for the last two minutes of the game, but lost possession at the blue line giving Peterson a breakaway to the empty net.
BEYOND THE BOX:
- This was the Crusaders second shutout in as many weeks, and Gale's first career shutout.
- Ricketts has now tallied six goals and seven assists for 13 points over his eight-game point streak.
- The Crusaders blocked 16 shots in the contest.
- With two games left to play, Holy Cross currently holds sole possession of third place in the AHA standings with 37 points.
THREE STARS:
UP NEXT:
- Holy Cross will finish out the regular season at home next weekend against Canisius College on Friday, Feb. 24, and Saturday, Feb. 25.
- Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. both nights. Friday's matchup will stream on FloHockey, while Saturday's game will be broadcast on NESN+.
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
Instagram - @hcrossmhockey | @goholycross
Facebook - Holy Cross Men's Ice Hockey | Holy Cross Athletics
YouTube - GoHolyCross
