WALTHAM, Mass. – Bentley defeated Holy Cross in a shootout after the teams tied 2-2 to begin the second half of the hockey season on Friday night.

In a rematch of last season's AHA championship game and the top two teams in the standings this season, Falcons sophomore forward Michael Mesic scored in the third round of the shootout. Freshman goalie Lukas Swedin then denied Holy Cross' Noah Eyre to give Bentley a 1-0 shootout win.

Both teams came up empty in the first two rounds of the shootout, but Mesic broke the deadlock in round three and Swedin sealed the extra conference point for Bentley.

Late in the second period, Falcons freshman Owen Goodbrand broke a 1-1 tie with his seventh goal of the season to put them in front 2-1. After a shot by classmate Marton Nemes went wide, Goodbrand collected the rebound and beat Crusaders goalie Danick Leroux with a quick shot from the left faceoff circle.

Holy Cross took a 1-0 lead at 11:18 of the opening period on a goal by Owen Kim. That lead stood until 8:35 of the 2^nd period when Falcons defenseman Alec Leonard notched his second goal of the season.

Leonard's initial shot on goal was blocked but he jumped on the rebound for another quick shot that got past Leroux to light the lamp.

Holy Cross tied the score at 1:36 of the third period and they threatened again shortly after with a five minute major penalty on the Falcons. But Bentley's penalty kill kept the score tied and drew a tripping call on Holy Cross to end the major power play early.

Bentley's records go to 9-7-2 overall and 8-1-2 in Atlantic Hockey. These teams will meet again on Saturday night in Worcester.