Friday, January 17, 2020

Weekend Preview: Holy Cross

Karlis Cukste play a lone game against Holy Cross on Friday

Holy Cross Head Coach: David Berard (6th season)

2019-2020 Holy Cross record: 6-11-5 (5-10-3 Atlantic Hockey)

All-time vs. Holy Cross: Quinnipiac leads series 25-5-4

Holy Cross Key Players: Neil Robinson (F), Logan Ferguson (F), Conner Jean (F), Anthony Vincent (F), Alex Peterson (F), Dalton Skelly (D), Matt Slick (D) Mike Higgins (D), Matt Radomsky (G)

Holy Cross has been a weird team to figure out this season. While they have a losing record they have beaten Providence and Sacred Heart twice along with a tie against Northeastern. Sixth year coach David Berard has one winning season since replacing Paul Pearl at the helm of the Crusaders back in the 2014-2015 season. Barring a big second half turnaround, its likely Holy Cross will have their fourth straight losing season.

The Holy Cross offense this season has been less than average at 2.55 goals per games which is 37th in the country. Senior Neil Robinson and junior Logan Ferguson lead the way with 16 points. Sophomore Conner Jean leads the team with 10 goals including three on the power play. Its an offense that lacks high end talent but they have started off the month of January on fire offensively with 19 goals in their last four games which includes three wins and a tie. The Crusaders power play isn't every good at just 16% which is 43rd nationally. The biggest question is which Holy Cross offense shows up this weekend against Quinnipiac.

Defensively it has been a struggle for Holy Cross as they have given up 3.18 goals per game which is 45th nationally. They have a decent penalty kill at 81.5% which is 29th nationally. Much like they lack high end talent up front, the same can be said for on the blue line as well. Senior Dalton Skelly has 10 points but is a minus 9. Young defensemen in Matt Slick and Mike Higgins each have six point and are a plus 3 each.

Holy Cross has had goal-tending issues this season playing all three of their goalies on the roster which has contributed to the teams record. Freshman Matt Radomsky has been the best of the bunch with an .895 save percentage and a 2.90 goals against average. He has played 19 games this season for the Crusaders and is expected to be in between the pipes for Holy Cross against Quinnipiac. If Holy Cross is going to have a chance to win, Radomsky is going to need to play his best hockey much like he did against Providence and Sacred Heart in wins.

This is a game Quinnipiac must have and have convincingly. They are superior across the board in talent and they need to make sure they don't play down to their competition which happened last weekend in a win against St. Lawrence.


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