Box Score

WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The American International College men's ice hockey team dropped an 8-4 decision with the College of Holy Cross on Saturday night in an Atlantic Hockey contest. The Yellow Jackets drop to 6-17-1 overall and 6-14-1 in Atlantic Hockey, while the win improves the Crusaders record to 11-14-3 overall and 10-8-3 in conference play.

Freshman forward Nick Sandor (Vancouver, B.C.) found the back of the net just 5:09 into the first period off a pass from junior forward Nielsson Arcibal (Vista, Calif.) and sophomore forward Adam Pleskach (Beausejour, Man.). The Yellow jackets added another goal for a 2-0 lead 9:03 into the first when junior forward Michael Penny (Calgary, Alb.) scored a powerplay goal off a dish from sophomore defenseman Chris Markiewicz (Calgary, Alb.) and Pleskach.

Holy Cross scored just 15 seconds later when sophomore forward Brandon Nunn (Fairport, N.Y.) scored to make it a 2-1 game. Nunn then scored again 13:53 into the first to tie the game at 2-2. Sophomore forward Kyle Fletcher (Kanata, Ont.) earned both the assists on Nunn's two goals.

The Crusaders took the 3-2 lead 4:03 into the second when junior forward Jay Silvia (Burlington, Mass.) scored off a pass from sophomore forward Rob Linsmayer (Winnetka, Ill.). Pleskach knotted the game at 3 at 6:15 in the third. Penny and Markiewicz earned the assists for their second point of the night each.

Holy Cross scored three goals in three minutes to make the score 6-3 in favor of the Crusaders. Junior Forward Andrew Cox (Lombardy, Ontario) scored one, while Fletcher added the other two goals. Linsmayer earned two more points, while Nunn added another point on the night for an assist on Fletcher's goal.

Junior forward Matt Gordon (Perth, Ontario) then added an insurance goal with seven minutes left in the game to make it a 7-3 contest. Penny gave AIC their fourth goal of the night with 2:35 left in the game, while Holy freshman forward Shayne Stockton (Rochester, N.Y.) ended the scoring with 1:29 left in the game.

Sophomore goaltender Ben Meisner (Halifax, N.S.) made 26 saves in 40 minutes in the loss for the Yellow Jackets, before being replaced by freshman goalie Ryan Kerpan (Saskatoon, SK) who made nine saves in 20 minutes.Senior goalie Adam Roy (Feeding Hills, Mass.) stopped 26 in the victory for Holy Cross.

The Crusaders outshot AIC 43-30.

AIC will host Bentley University on Friday night February 11th for a 7:05 p.m. contest, while finishing the weekend series at Bentley on Saturday night February 12th in an Atlantic Hockey Contest.