Worcester, Mass. – Senior Ryan Toomey scored with just 11 seconds elapsed in overtime to give the Mercyhurst College men's hockey team a 4-3 OT victory over Atlantic Hockey foe Holy Cross Friday evening at the Hart Center. With the win, the Lakers improve to 1-6-0 on the season and 1-0 in AHA action, while Holy Cross falls to 1-4-1 overall and 1-3-1 in league play.

After watching their 3-2 lead turn into a 3-3 tie late in the third period, the Lakers caught a break when Holy Cross was penalized with a hitting from behind call at the 17:58 mark. Despite not being able to score in regulation, Mercyhurst quickly finished off the game in overtime with Toomey putting the puck past Adam Roy for the win. Sophomores Brandon Coccimiglio and Jeff Terminesi were awarded assists on the power-play marker.

Toomey's goal, which was his second of the season, marked the second time that the Bolton, Ontario product sunk the Crusaders in overtime. His fourth goal of his freshman campaign proved to be the deciding factor as Mercyhurst skated away with a 4-3 OT victory over Holy Cross on March 18, 2005.

Both teams traded goals through the entire game, with Mercyhurst breaking the ice in the opening period. Sophomore Ryan Raven notched his first collegiate goal thanks to assists from senior Brett Robinson and Toomey at 13:58 to take a 1-0 lead. The score held up through the remainder of the period as the Lakers held a 12-8 edge in shots.

Holy Cross turned up the heat in the second, connecting on two of its 17 shots. Jordan Cyr knotted the game at one when he beat senior Matt Lundin at :53. The Lakers bounced back though to take a 2-1 lead thanks to a score from sophomore Mike Gurtler at 9:22. The Crusaders closed out the frame with a goal from Matt Clune less than two minutes later at 10:55 to take a 2-2 game into the third.

Mercyhurst regained control in the third when sophomore Steve Cameron opened up the period with his fourth goal of the season at 4:52. Cyr, however, locked the teams at 3-3 with his second goal of the match with 7:13 remaining in regulation.

Lundin earned the win in goal with 31 saves while counterpart Roy suffered the loss with 24 stops. Holy Cross finished the game with a 34-28 edge in shots.

Both teams return to the ice on Saturday, Nov. 8 for game two of the series. Face-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Hart Center in Worcester, Mass.