WORCESTER, MASS. - The Niagara men's hockey team (11-7-2, 8-5-0 AHA) fell into a 3-0 hole that was too much to overcome, as the host Holy Cross Crusaders (7-11-2, 6-5-2 AHA) defeated the Purple Eagles 5-1 at the Hart Center on Saturday afternoon.

"Our special teams let us down tonight," Niagara head coach Dave Burkholder said. "Holy Cross had more energy and vigor then we did during five-on-five situations, which isnever a good situation. We played from behind and mustered 48 shots but couldn't close the gap."

Much like Niagara did a day earlier, Holy Cross struck quickly, netting two goals in a span of 2:42 to put the Purps in a 2-0 hole. The Crusaders would add to their lead just four minutes into the middle stanza, when Everett Sheen added his second goal of the game shorthanded, beating freshman netminder Cody Campbell.   

The Purple Eagles would get on the board when senior Bryan Haczyk would net his 14th goal on the season and fourth goal of the weekend on the man-advantage with 46 seconds left in the second period. Haczyk extended his point scoring streak to 16 games with the goal, but the Crusaders would respond 32 seconds later for a 4-1 lead after two periods of play.

Niagara would outshoot the Crusaders by a 36-23 margin in the final four minutes of the game, but had a tough time with Holy Cross netminder Adam Roy. Holy Cross would round out scoring five minutes into the third, when Andrew Cox scored on the man-advantage.

Campbell made 31 saves in the loss, while Ryan Rashid and Ryan Annesley earned assists on Haczyk's goal.

The Purple Eagles, winners of two out of their last three games, are back in action on Jan. 14, when they visit American International.