Ice Hockey strikes first but comes up short in Game 1 of AHA Semifinal at Holy Cross

WORCESTER, Massachusetts - Brett Rylance had a two-point night, but The College of the Holy Cross won a 5-2 victory in Game 1 of the Atlantic Hockey Association Championship Tournament Semifinal at the Hart Center on Friday, March 15.

AIC is now 18-15-4 on the season.

The Yellow Jackets drew a penalty just a minute into regulation and the Balise Toyota Power Play was able to convert as Logan Jenuwine found Brett Rylance in the slot and the centerman snapped home his fourth of the year at 2:31. Theo Angesved earned an assist on the play as well.

However, the final stretch of the first turned the way of the home team, which scored three times. Alec Cicero scored the tying goal at 12:02, and Tyler Ghirardosi put the Crusaders up at 19:19. AIC took a penalty off the next faceoff, and the Crusaders converted as Liam McLinskey was free on the right side of the slot for a goal at 19:51.

In the second, AIC settled in and scored the only goal. Rylance found Casey McDonald on a cross-slot pass for his fourth of the season at 1:26.

AIC had chances from there, but AHA Goaltending Champion Jason Grande made several strong stops, including on a chance at point-blank range late in the second by Oscar Geschwind. Even AIC pulling its goalkeeper for a sixth attacker did not help, as the Crusaders hit the open cage twice for the 5-2 final.

The teams will play the second game of the best of three series on Saturday, March 16 at 7:05 p.m.; if AIC prevails, a winner-take-all third game would be Sunday, March 17 at 5:05 p.m.