Holy Cross Closes In On Top Spot
Canisius Registers Win Over Niagara
Weekly Release (PDF)

It wasn’t easy, but Holy Cross proved to be the only team in Atlantic Hockey to gain four points during the week and inch closer to league-leading Canisius. Arguably the hottest team in the league at the moment, the Crusaders are unbeaten in seven of their last eight outings (6-1-1) after struggling through the month of November (2-4-2). The defending champs were the only team to win on an overtime-filled Tuesday evening in Atlantic Hockey, needing overtime itself to take Sacred Heart, 3-2.

Down two goals to the Pioneers Tuesday night, the Crusaders battled back into the game with two power-play markers in the second period, knotting the game at two. After a scoreless third, it took less than a minute in the extra session for Pierre Napert-Frenette to send Holy Cross back to Worcester with two points.

Holy Cross continued its winning ways on Friday at American International, coming from behind for a third straight time to down the Yellow Jackets 3-1. Atlantic Hockey Rookie of the Week Dale Reinhardt played a big part in both games for the Crusaders, collecting a goal and three assists over the two outings. The biggest test of the season is on tap for Holy Cross this coming weekend, when the Crusaders travel to the Western edge of the conference for single contests at Mercyhurst and Canisius - two teams that are in the thick of it with Holy Cross for the league lead. A strong performance by the Crusaders could loom large later in the season, as Holy Cross hosts Canisius and Mercyhurst for a set at the end of January and February, respectively.

The Lakers had an interesting week on the ice, posting a 1-0-2 record. Tuesday was a see-saw battle with Bentley, as the two teams traded the lead throughout the evening before settling at four-even. Mercyhurst gained some more ground the next night, handing visiting Quinnipiac a 3-1 loss. The Lakers closed out the week at Robert Morris on Sunday with a first in program history, skating to a 0-0 tie with the Colonials. Atlantic Hockey Player of the Week Dave Borrelli posted his team-leading tenth goal of the season against Bentley, along with adding three assists during the week.

Over the weekend, Connecticut headed to Army for a set of games, and the potential for either team to make a move up the Atlantic Hockey standings. While the Huskies and Black Knights only split the weekend series with similar 1-0 results, both teams were able to gain ground on their opponents, as both Bentley and Quinnipiac gained ties in league play earlier in the week. Friday night Chris Uber scored his first goal of the season, and the only goal of the game in a 1-0 win for the Huskies. Army returned the favor Saturday night when Robb Ross netted his fifth goal of the season and first career game-winner in the 1-0 win for the Black Knights. Atlantic Hockey Goaltenders of the Week Treye Kettwick and Brad Roberts backboned the Black Knight defense, stopping 56 shots and combining for a .928 save percentage.

Canisius may have come away Tuesday night a little disappointed after leading Quinnipiac early and then settling for a 4-4 tie with the Bobcats, but any disappointment evaporated come Saturday when the Griffs handed rival Niagara a 5-2 loss. Trailing by a lone goal early on in the first period, Canisius scored four straight to hold a 4-1 advantage after two periods before trading goals in the third. The win was the first for the Griffs at Dwyer Arena, and also represented the lone win for Atlantic Hockey in the Commissioner’s Cup series. Atlantic Hockey finished the seven-game inter-league competition with a 1-6-0 record.

The coming weekend features all the action in Atlantic Hockey, as eight conference games will take place over two days, beginning Friday night. American International starts the week off on Wednesday with a non-conference matchup at Brown, the second Ivy League opponent the Yellow Jackets have faced this season, after falling at Princeton last week, 4-2. AIC continues the road trip Friday at Canisius in an afternoon matchup, followed by a Saturday meeting with Mercyhurst. Holy Cross will follow the Yellow Jackets west, starting off with Mercyhurst Friday and Canisius on Saturday.

Home-home will be the case for Bentley, Connecticut, Quinnipiac, and Sacred Heart. The Huskies take on the Bobcats beginning on Friday at Quinnipiac, closing out the series Saturday at UConn. Sacred Heart starts the weekend at Bentley Friday evening, followed by hosting the Falcons on Saturday.

Army takes to the road for a pair of games at one of its biggest rivals, Air Force. Friday’s game will be featured on CSTV’s Friday Night Hockey package beginning at 8:00 p.m.