West Point, New York - - Top seed and Atlantic Hockey Regular Season Champions the College of the Holy Cross took to the ice in their first action of the post-season. Their opponent, #9 American International College, is coming off of a big win against tournament host U.S. Military Academy Friday night. The Crusaders dominated AIC in the regular season beating them in their three head-to-head meetings but came into the quarterfinal having dropped their last two regular season games.

An obviously fresher team, Holy Cross, ended American International’s season with a 5-0 win in their Atlantic Hockey quarterfinal today and advanced to tomorrow’s semifinal round. The Crusaders improved to 20-9-4 for the season and will play in the 4:30 p.m. semifinal tomorrow against the lowest remaining seed. Tony Quesada (So., G, South Freeport, ME) was solid in goal for the Crusaders shutting down the Yellow Jackets who scored four goals against the U.S. Military Academy the night before. Quesada made 28 saves on the night.

American International’s seasons ends at 5-25-4 and not to be overlooked is the goaltending performance by Frank Novello (Jr., G, Sault St. Marie, Ont.). In two games, Novello faced 86 shots including 49 against the top seed in the tournament. For the tournament, Novello had a .906 save percentage and a 3.00 GAA.

Holy Cross was off to a quick start as they tested AIC’s Novello early and often. Novello played 60 minutes in goal the previous night and made 34 saves in AIC’s 4-3 win over Army. The 2004 Atlantic Hockey First Team All-Star Forward Jeff Dams (Sr., F, Montick, ONT) drew first blood for the Crusaders. He was assisted by Frank O’Grady (Fr., D, Kimberly, BC) and Greg Kealey (Sr., F, Nepean, Ont).

Following the goal, Holy Cross opened the door for the Yellow Jackets giving them the man advantage at the 9:26 mark. However the Crusaders’ penalty killing team was very efficient out shooting AIC in the power play 2-1. AIC would be given a second chance at the power play at the 16:28 mark of the first period and this time they were much more aggressive, keeping the puck in the Crusaders’ zone, but only managed one shot on goal.

Too many turnovers in their own zone put AIC on the defensive throughout the first period as the Crusaders had many scoring opportunities, however, the first period ended with the Crusaders leading 1-0.

The second period was marked by great goaltending and excellent penalty killing. The Crusaders first power play opportunity occurred at the 5:46 mark of the second period. Holy Cross managed two shots during their man advantage. AIC’s third power play occurred at 10:08 in the second period. The Yellow Jackets had their best chance to score during this power play with four shots on Quesada but the sophomore netminder would not let anything past him.

AIC was the more active of the two teams early in the second period but the Crusaders would pressure late in the period. With :14 remaining in the second period, the Crusaders Andrew McKay (Jr., F, Bellefeuille, Que) solved Novello for Holy Cross’ second goal of the game. McKay was assisted by Tyler McGregor (So., F, Ajax, Ont.) and Pierre Napert-Frenette (So., F, Bathurst, NB) Holy Cross out shot AIC 16 to 10 in the second stanza.

As the third period began Holy Cross looked to close the door early on the Yellow Jackets and put immediate pressure on Novello. The Crusaders scored their third goal of the night as Jeff Dams connected with Greg Kealey for his first goal of the evening.

Unrelentingly Holy Cross continued their assault on Novello and at the 6:43 mark of the third the Crusaders senior captain Kealey scored his second of the night. This goal was assisted by James Sixsmith (Fr., F, Alexandria, Va.). With under seven minutes left in the final period Holy Cross scored their fifth unanswered goal at the 13:14 mark as Matt Conway (Sr., F, Clifton, Park, NY) found the back of the net. This goal was unassisted.

Holy Cross’ semifinal opponent will be determined at the conclusion of the final quarterfinal.