Holy Cross beats Air Force hockey team, 5-2

  • Published
WORCESTER, Mass. (AFPN) --  College of the Holy Cross scored two power-play goals in the first period and cruised to a 5-2 win over the Air Force Academy in a nonconference college hockey game here Oct. 30.

Holy Cross improved to 2-1-1 overall this season, while Air Force fell to 2-2-2.

A pair of power-play goals in the first period gave Holy Cross a 2-0 lead. Air Force was whistled for a penalty 32 seconds into the game, and the Crusaders capitalized. Pierre Napert-Frenette redirected Tony Coskren’s shot from the point at 1:40 of the first period. Holy Cross took a two-goal lead at 11:26 on a power-play goal from James Sixsmith. His wrister from the right faceoff dot was assisted by Napert-Frenette and Coskren.

The Falcons took some momentum into the intermission as Brandon Merkosky scored just before the horn sounded to end the first period. Josh Print made the pass from behind the net to Merkosky on the side boards. Just before the horn went off, Merkosky’s wrister from below the faceoff dot beat goalie Ben Conway on the short side.

The momentum was short lived as the Crusaders scored an even-strength goal early in the second period. Just after a Falcon power play ended, the Crusaders took a 3-1 lead with a transition goal. Napert-Frenette scored on an odd-man rush from Sixsmith. The Crusaders built a three-goal lead when Tanner Fogarty scored from right in front of the net on a pass from behind the cage. Following Holy Cross’ fourth-goal, Falcon goalie Peter Foster was pulled and replaced by Ian Harper. The appearance is the first of Harper’s career.

The Crusaders added a goal in the third period. Napert-Frenette scored a five-on-three goal from Sixsmith and Coskren at 1:30 of the third period. Air Force added a power-play goal in the final minute as Peter Shenk scored his first career goal with a slap shot from the point with 38 seconds remaining.

Napert-Frenette had a hat trick plus an assist in the game. Sixsmith had one goal and two assists. Foster had nine saves while allowing four goals for Air Force. Harper had 12 saves and allowed one goal.

Holy Cross was 3-for-8 on the power play while Air Force was 2-for-10. The Falcons outshot Holy Cross 31-26 in the game.

Air Force plays again Nov. 12 and 14 against the University of Alabama in Huntsville.