WORCESTER, Massachusetts - Backed by a 21-save shutout byJake Kucharskiand goals fromChris TheodoreandEric Otto, the American International College ice hockey team defeated The College of the Holy Cross 2-0 in Atlantic Hockey Association play on Saturday, January 8.

FAST FACTS:
Final Score: RV AIC 2, Holy Cross 0
Records: The Yellow Jackets rise to 7-9-1 overall and 7-4-0-0-0-2 in the AHA; the Crusaders drop to 5-14-1 overall with a 3-7-1-0-1-0 AHA mark
Location: Hart Center, Worcester, Massachusetts

KEY STATS:
Holy Cross:
Erik Gordon: Loss (0-4-0), 25 saves in 57:05

AIC:
Chris Theodore: One goal
Eric Otto: One goal
Jake Stella: One assist
Justin Young: One assist
Austen Long: One assist
Chris Van Os-Shaw: One assist
Jake Kucharski: Win (6-6-1), shutout (2), 21 saves in 59:56

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• After a relatively slow start, AIC opened the scoring late in the first frame. Justin Young kept the puck in along the left-wing wall and threw a pass down to Jake Stella, who was waiting just outside of the crease. Stella's shot deflected off of Erik Gordon's pads and right to Theodore, who backhanded home his fourth of the season at 17:17.
• The second period was mainly spent on special teams as a full 10 minutes were played at strengths other than five-on-five. AIC took six shots on its four power plays, but to no avail; however, the Crusaders only took three shots on target themselves, two coming on their lone power play.
• In the third, the hosts made a concerted effort and had opportunities, including the game's final power play, but Kucharski was up to the task, and the defense made life difficult for the Crusaders offense.
• AIC iced the game late with a second tally. Chris Van Os-Shaw sent the puck out of AIC's end to Austen Long at the center faceoff dot, and he furthered the puck to Otto along the right side before driving to the net. Otto came into the zone and fed it back to Long for a shot, and though Gordon stopped that, he could do nothing about Otto crashing into the crease to backhand home his first of the season at 17:00.
• The Crusaders pulled Gordon for an extra skater, but it was to no avail as the Yellow Jackets held the line for the 2-0 win.

GET BACK TO WHERE YOU ONCE BELONGED:

• The victory puts AIC into a three-way tie for the AHA leadwith Bentley University and Canisius College with 23 AHA points.
• AIC has played 11 AHA games, whereas Bentley has played 12 and Canisius 14; the Yellow Jackets have a league-best .697 points percentage.

JAKE FROM STATE FARM:

• Kucharski's shutout was his second of the season.
• The blank was his third career shutout; two have come against the Crusaders.
• AIC has gone 326:34 without allowing a goal to the Crusaders; Kucharski has been in net for just under 140 of those minutes.

NEXT UP:

• The two teams renew their rivalry at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 9 at the Hart Center. Per Holy Cross policy, no fans are permitted to attend.
• AIC's next home game is Tuesday, January 11 against the University of Connecticut.
• Tickets for AIC vs UConn, and all home ice hockey games, are available at www.aicyellowjackets.com.