Junior Tyler McGregor scored a pair of goals, including the eventual game-winner moments into the third period, as Holy Cross defeated Canisius, 4-3, in Atlantic Hockey action Friday night at the Hart Center in front of 1,283 fans.
With the win the Crusaders improved to 12-7-4 overall and 9-3-3 in the league to remain atop the league standings. The Golden Griffins are now 10-12-3 overall, 8-5-2 in the league with the loss.
The Crusaders opened the scoring early in the first period with a goal by freshman Chris Trovato just 2:15 into the game. Trovato grabbed a loose rebound after Canisius senior goalie Bryan Worosz made a save on a shot by sophomore Tanner Forgarty and slipped the puck inside the right post for a 1-0 Crusader lead. Sophomore Jon Landry also assisted on the play.
Canisius knotted the game at a goal apiece with 2:32 remaining in the period on sophomore Michael Cohen’s fifth of the season. Senior Ryan Corcoran dug the puck out of the left corner into the slot, where Cohen lifted the puck over Holy Cross netminder Tony Quesada’s left shoulder for the equalizing goal.
The Crusaders restored the one-goal margin at the 18:10 mark as junior Andrew Weber sneaked the puck under Worosz just 42 seconds after Cohen’s goal. Sophomore James Sixsmith and freshman Dale Reinhardt were credited with the assists.
The Griffs seized the early momentum of the second period, tying the game once more just 1:40 into the second stanza on a goal by freshman Mike Ruberto, his sixth of the year. Junior David Ovcjak fed Ruberto from the left corner and Ruberto turned and fired a slapshot that beat Quesada to the right side.
Holy Cross took the lead once again at the 8:58 mark of the period on a blast by McGregor, the Crusaders’ leading scorer. McGregor tallied his 13th of the season on a shot from the right faceoff circle that beat Worosz over his left shoulder for a 3-2 Holy Cross lead. Assisting on the goal was senior captain Andrew McKay and junior assistant captain Pierre Napert-Frenette.
The Crusaders extended their lead to 4-2 at the 1:24 mark of the third period on McGregor’s second of the game. During a four-on-four, McGregor broke away with freshman Cal St. Denis through the neutral zone. St. Denis feathered a pass to McGregor, who beat Worosz on the stick side. Sophomore Frank O’Grady assisted on the goal.
Canisius cut the deficit to 4-3 at the 3:52 mark of the period on a power-play goal by junior Tim Songin. Songin took a pass from sophomore Joey Coccimiglio and blasted a shot from the high slot past Quesada for his third of the year.
Neither team added a goal over rest of the final period, as both Worosz and Quesada came away with spectacular saves. Worosz finished with 23 saves for Canisius, while Quesada posted 17 saves in the win for Holy Cross. The Griffs were 1-for-6 on the power-play and held Holy Cross scoreless in four extra-man opportunities.
Holy Cross and Canisius return to the ice Saturday for a 4 p.m. contest at the Hart Center.
