60 Days. 60 Teams. 600 Words (or Less): Holy Cross

Holy Cross

2018-19 Record: 10-21-5 (10-21-5, T-8th in Atlantic Hockey)
Head Coach: David Berard, 6th Year
Top returning scorer: Anthony Vincent (5G-16A)
Top returning goaltender: Erik Gordon (So.)

Was 2018-19 a one-year blip for Holy Cross?

That'll be the question answered by the Crusaders, who for the first time in five seasons finished outside the top half of Atlantic Hockey. Losing several key players to graduation on a team that ended 2017-18 tied for third, Holy Cross began strongly by winning its opening game then failed to win again until mid-December. (Not surprisingly, the six teams with the worst first half records are the first six teams being previewed.) To make matters worse, the team's leading scorer decided to transfer to Miami midway through his freshman season.

Other freshmen did pick up during the second half. Anthony Vincent scored 15 of his 21 points. Erik Gordon, taking over for one of the top goaltenders in program history, Paul Berrafto, improved. The Crusaders had three separate unbeaten streaks of 3+ games to end the year on a high note.

What's New: Phil Kessel was traded from Pittsburgh to Arizona and...sorry, I saw a Kessel on the roster and Holy Cross and then instincts took over. Between writing a preview on Holy Cross and the Crusaders having players named Pete Kessel and Patrick O'Leary, at least one mid-2000s Gophers remark was going to come up. You all knew it.

In all seriousness, not too much is new, which might be a relief after last season's first half. Berard replaced assistant coach Tom Hill, who left to join Brent Brekke's staff at St. Lawrence, with Notre Dame volunteer assistant Max Mobley.

A smaller six-person freshman class is coming on campus. (Speaking of names, incoming freshman forward Grayson Constable looks to be a future all-college hockey name team candidate.) Holy Cross also ended up signing the only 14-year-old no one will get mad about.

Closing Thoughts: Whether or not 2018-19 ends up being a one-year blip or the start of a trend depends on whether the Crusaders can continue to be the team it was in the second half. Compared to some of the other teams being previewed around this area, Holy Cross had higher goal scoring, lower goals against and a closer shot disadvantage throughout the year. One of the big reasons for being near the bottom of the Pairwise is because the Crusaders went winless in non-conference play.

Holy Cross brings back young talent throughout the lineup - Vincent and defenseman Matt Slick were both named to Atlantic Hockey's All-Rookie Team for their efforts - yet might have some growing pains again. Berard needs to replace five of his top six scorers a season after replacing three of his top four. If that happens, it wouldn't be a surprise for the Crusaders to get back to where Holy Cross expects to be in Atlantic Hockey.

At the same time, it may not feel like it, but the team who kicked off Atlantic Hockey's NCAA Tournament giant-killer reputation, as teams such as Air Force, RIT and AIC joined the Crusaders with NCAA Tournament wins, hasn't been back since.

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