(Louisville, Ky.) The Holy Cross Saints hockey team opened up the 2012-2013 season on the road against the Louisville Cardinals over the weekend. After a tough 5-4 loss on Friday night, the Saints rallied to win 7-2 on Saturday to split the first series of the season.

Game 1 (9/14/2012)

The Saints offense started off quick on Friday night gaining a quick goal from junior forward Brendon Gendel (A) (South Bend, Ind.) to take an early 1-0 lead. Shortly after defensemen Shane Leo (A) (Austin, Texas) notched his first of the season to give the Saints a 2-0 first period lead.

Over the course of the 2nd period, the Cardinals scored 3 unanswered goals until junior forward Drew Brodbeck (Stillwater, Minn.) tied it at 3 off a pass from Jake Radde (Granger, Ind.).

Louisville went on to go up 5-3 in the 3^rd period when Brodbeck tallied his 2^nd of the game from freshmen Bradley Kolcz (Marysville, Mich.) making it 5-4 Cardinals with under 4 minutes remaining.

The Saints Friday night rally would eventually fall short, as they would fall to Louisville 5-4.

Junior Goaltender, Brad Hajec (Dearborn, Mich.), finished the game with 34 saves for the Saints.

"Certainly this was not the outcome we had hoped for," said Saints head coach Bill Schmatz. "Even though we scored early, and for the most part controlled the tempo of the game, we did not execute as sharply as we should have which allowed Louisville to capitalize on our mistakes. We spent too much time in the penalty box and just could not finish our offensive rushes and find the back of the net."

Game 2 (9/15/12)

Game 2 of the weekend series turned out much better for the Saints Saturday night. They were able to start the game fast, and capitalize on their opportunities, which led to 4 1^st period goals, and a 4-0 Saints lead.

Freshmen Daniel Vaughan (Littleton, Colo.) and Bradley Kolcz (Marysville, Mich.) recorded their first career goals for the Saints.

The Saints also received goals from Austin Pedue (South Bend, Ind.), Tyler Schmatz (South Bend, Ind.), Drew Brodbeck (Stillwater, Minn.), Sean Root (Livonia, Mich.), and Ryan Gallup (Fishers, Ind.) in the 7-2 win.

Junior goalkeeper, Shawn Tallet (Baldwinsville, Ny.) made his first start of the year recording 26 saves, and only allowing 2 goals against.

"We definitely turned things around for this game," said Saints head coach Bill Schmatz. "We were able to control the tempo of the offense, and keep the puck in Louisville's zone for the majority of the game. Putting up 53 shots on goal while only allowing 28 demonstrated the dominant effort we were hoping to accomplish. I'm proud of the contributions that we got from the entire squad, and feel the guys played disciplined for all 3 periods."

Series stats

Brendon Gendel (A) : 1 Goal

Shane Leo (A) : 1 Goal 1 Assist         

Drew Brodbeck : 3 Goals 1 Assist

Austin Pedue : 1 Goal 1 Assist

Bradley Kolcz : 1 Goal 2 Assists

Sean Root : 1 Goal                  

Ryan Gallup : 1 Goal            

Clairmont Ruff : 1 Assist         

Jake Radde : 1 Assist

Tyler Schmatz (A) : 1 Goal

Daniel Vaughan : 1 Goal

Steve Bridgeman : 1 Assist

Tom Lyons (C) : 3 Assists

Goalie Stats

Brad Hajec             39 shots faced      5 goals against      34 saves

Shawn Tallet         28 shots faced      2 goals against      26 saves

The Saints will return to the ice on Friday, September 28^th for their home opener against Northern Illinois University. The game will begin at 9:15pm EST at their home arena the Ice Box in South Bend, Indiana.