WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. Freshman Johnny Mueller (St. Louis, Mo.) scored the lone goal for American international College as they dropped a, 2-1, decision to the College of the Holy Cross in Atlantic Hockey Conference action this evening from the Olympia Ice Center.
Holy Cross improves to 16-11-5 overall and 14-7-5 in conference play while AIC drops to 6-27-2 on the year and 6-19-2 in AHC action.
After a slow first period with not much action on either end the Crusaders broke the scoreless tie with a shorthanded effort from junior Mike Barrett (Orland Park, Ill.) as he found himself one-on-one with sophomore goaltender Alex Murray (Burlington, Ont.) and he beat him glove side for the 1-0 edge at 9:33.
The Jackets nearly grabbed the equalizer during a 4-on-4 after coincidental unsportsmanlike conduct penalties late in the period as sophomore Andrew DeBrincat (Farmington Hills, Mich.) fired from the left slot and freshman Trevor Cope (White Lake, Mich.) collected the rebound and spun around out front, but sophomore net-minder Paul Berrafato (Williamsville, N.Y.) stuck the left pad out to preserve the lead at 18:50 of the period.
AIC did eventually tie the score in the third period taking advantage of the power-play as it was Mueller collecting the puck and skating through the neutral zone using a give-and-go play with sophomore Jackson Dudley (Edmonton, Alb.) hitting the back of the net on the right side of the crease at 8:53 for the 1-1 score.
Then late in the third period the ice opened up after coincidental minor's again saw 4-on-4 action and freshman Johnny Coughlin (Fairpoint, N.Y.) slapped home a rebound for the 2-1 final at 17:30.
The Jackets opted for the empty net for the final minute of play, but were unable to push the game into overtime.
HC outshot the hosts 45-17, but were 0-for-3 with the man-advantage while American International converted 1-of-2 power-play chances in the game.
Murray stopped 43 shots, but falls to 6-21-2 on the year while Berrafato improves to 15-9-5 after making 16 saves.
AIC closes out the regular season at home on Wednesday as they welcome Bentley University for a 7:05 p.m. affair.
