ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Holy Cross men's ice hockey team defeated No. 20 RIT, 1-0 in overtime, Friday night at the Gene Polisseni Center to take a 1-0 lead in the Atlantic Hockey Semifinal round.
 
Sophomore Liam McLinskey scored his sixth goal and third-straight game winner of the playoffs to lift the Crusaders over the Tigers with 12 minutes left to play in the overtime frame. Senior Nick Hale stripped an RIT defender of the puck in the defensive zone and found McLinskey in stride at center ice for a breakaway opportunity. McLinskey faked a wrist shot to the right, getting RIT netminder Tommy Scarfone off balance, before sliding the puck under him for the win.
 
The Tigers outshot the Crusaders 36-17 in regulation. Holy Cross drew two power play opportunities, one in the second and third period, while RIT drew a penalty in the third and overtime periods.

Junior netminder Jason Grande recorded a career-high 40 saves in his first career shutout, while Scarfone posted 22 in the loss.
 
The two teams will meet again tomorrow, Saturday, March 11, at 7:05 p.m. With a win, Holy Cross will move on to their first AHA Championship game since 2006, while RIT would force a tie-breaking game 3 with a win.
 
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