Holy Cross Defeated By Niagara, 6-2, In Season-Opener

Courtesy of Holy Cross Sports Information

WORCESTER, Mass. - Freshmen Mark Znutas (Emerson, N.J.) and Joe Brock (Cumming, Ga.) each scored their first collegiate goals, but it was not enough as the Holy Cross men's hockey team fell to Niagara, 6-2, in the Crusaders' season-opener on Saturday night at the Hart Center. With the loss, the Crusaders open the season 0-1-0 overall, while the Purple
Eagles improve to 1-1-0 overall.

The Crusaders jumped out to a 2-0 lead with two straight goals in the first period. Znutas scored a power play goal at 4:21 into the period, while Brock netted a power play goal at the 17:47 mark.  

The Purple Eagles would then go onto to score six consecutive goals with two in the second period and four in the third. Ted Cook opened Niagara's scoring with a power play goal at 10:53, while Moran tied the game at 2-2 at 14:49.

Egor Mironov scored the game-winner at 2:16 into the third period and then netted his second goal of the game at 5:10. Vince Rocco added two goals of his own at 6:41 and 17:10 for the 6-2 final score.

Holy Cross freshman goalie Adam Roy (Feeding Hills, Mass.) made 33 saves in his collegiate debut, while Adam Avramenko stopped 26 shots to earn the win for Niagara. The Purple Eagles outshot the Crusaders by a 39-28 margin.

The Crusaders return to action on Saturday, October 20, when they hit the road to play Providence at 7:00 p.m.