Brendan Grudberg ’28
Staff Writer
The Holy Cross Men’s Ice Hockey team played a thriller at #8 Quinnipiac last Wednesday on Thanksgiving Eve, losing 6-7 in overtime in what could only be described as a thriller. Holy Cross came into the matchup not having lost a game in over a month, when Army West Point took the first of a two-game set 2-5 on October 24. Since then, the 2025 Atlantic Hockey America runner-ups have seemed to be finding their footing after a slow start. Wednesday was their first loss in the month of November, and their second time surrendering to Quinnipiac this season, though the first time it was by a larger deficit: 1-4 on October 21.
Things started slow for the Crusaders in Hamden, Conn., as Chris Pelosi’s power play goal late in the first period put them down 3-0. However, they held up their own weight for most of the second period, and with three minutes remaining Noah Eyre put the Crusaders on the board, now down 1-3.
Then, an absolute barrage ensued. The Crusaders tied the game with back-to-back goals from Ty Gagno and Matt DeBoer early in the third, but they couldn’t hold the Bobcats off for long, who regained the lead just 46 seconds of game time later.
Add in a power play goal two minutes later and another goal four after that, and you’ve got a 6-3 game that looks over with less than 10 minutes remaining. Fans trickled out of M&T Bank Arena to beat the traffic, presuming a Bobcat win – at least, my local friends who attended the game did so… and they regretted their decision immediately.
The Crusaders came roaring back, once again. Matt DeBoer cut the lead to two with five minutes remaining, his second score of the game, and with just under three minutes remaining a goal from Michael Abgrall and a third from DeBoer erased the deficit entirely.
The third period ended with the two teams knotted at an incredible 6-6, with each team scoring in bunches of three to that point. The 3-on-3 overtime period ensued, and guided by the extra motivation to not blow the game in such an embarrassing fashion, Quinnipiac got it done, with the game’s first goal scorer Andon Cerbone also being its last, netting the game winner with a one-timer from Mason Marcellus.
This is one of those sporting events that you leave not knowing what to truly make of it as a player on the losing side. On one hand, you clawed yourself out of not one, but two 3-goal deficits, and still came up short, but on the other hand you took a top-10 ranked team to overtime on their home ice, and showed incredible resilience. From the fans’ perspective, they’re just as confused as the players, but above all thankful that they stayed for some darn good hockey.
Matt DeBoer’s hat trick performance gave the senior the team lead in points, 16 in as many games. He is also tied for second in the conference in points. DeBoer was honored with Atlantic Hockey forward of the month for his and the team’s hot play recently.
Additionally, senior Jack Seymour’s plus/minus of +20 leads the nation, per goholycross.com. Tied for the team lead in goals (8) is junior Jack Stockfish and senior Michael Abgrall, the latter of whom scored in Wednesday’s duel vs. Quinnipiac.
Holy Cross has a chance to get back on track this weekend when they host Mercyhurst Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. The Crusaders hold an outstanding conference record of 7-1-1 right now, and have a legitimate shot to improve that–Holy Cross beat Mercyhurst earlier in this season, 4-0.
Following the tilt with Mercyhurst is a month-long break in the schedule for the Crusaders, before they return for a home-and-home with the 2025 conference champions Bentley, who defeated the Crusaders in the championship game last March.
Bentley and Holy Cross have identical conference records, save for the tie Holy Cross had with Sacred Heart, and all signs are pointing toward an incredible championship rematch a month from now.
Despite a tough start with nonconference opponents, and a heartbreaker last Wednesday, the Holy Cross men’s hockey team is progressing exactly how they need to, and is doing everything necessary to get another shot at an NCAA tournament berth come March.
Copy edited by Molly Croft ’29
Featured image courtesy of Holy Cross Men’s Hockey
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