Nik Hong Once Again the Hero for Army in 3-2 Overtime Victory at Holy Cross

Featured Photo Credit: Mark Seliger

Worcester, M.A. — On a rare Thursday night game up in Massachusetts, the Army Black Knights went toe-to-toe with the Holy Cross Crusaders and came out victorious in the weekend opener. The Cadets’ 3-2 victory marked their second win over the Crusaders in three games this season.

Army would take the lead in the first period with a goal from sophomore Adam Marshall, but Holy Cross would take a 2-1 lead just four minutes into the third period. But the Black Knights would not go down without a fight, and junior Vincent Salice tied the game to force overtime. In the extra frame, it would be Nik Hong once again to put Army over the top and steal the extra point on Friday night. In the win, sophomore goaltender JJ Cataldo made 35 saves on 37 shots, improving his record to 9-10-4 this season.

When the calendar shifted to December, Army started to find its way in Atlantic Hockey, going 5-2 in its last seven conference games. Three of the victories have come in overtime or the shootout, but every point matters to a Black Knight team looking to climb the standings.

The win improves Army to 10-11-5 on the season and 5-10-3 (18 points) in Atlantic Hockey play, while Holy Cross falls to 11-12-2 on the season, with a conference record of 9-6-2 (30 Points).

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Zach McKelvie’s team got off to another strong start on the road. In the first period, Army capitalized on the scoresheet after outshooting Holy Cross 14-8.

Army would open the scoring for the third time in the last four games with an Adam Marshall bomb from the blue line. Nik Hong passed the puck to Sam Groebner at the point, who found Marshall opening up for a one-timer. With three guys in the shooting lane, Marshall’s shot beat Louden Hogg clean, giving the Black Knights a 1-0 lead.

Heading into the locker room with the lead, Holy Cross found its legs. The Crusaders controlled most of the second period and the early third period. In that span, the home team found themselves taking a 2-1 lead.

First it was Michael Abgrall early in the second period putting home a cross ice pass from Timothy Heinke to get the Crusaders on the board. Then four minutes into the third, Matt DeBoer gave Holy Cross the lead on the power play. Jack Stockfish picked up a loose puck below the goal line and thanks to his patenice with the puck, Deboer found the open space in the blue paint, redirecting a pass over JJ Cataldo’s left pad to score the only power-play goal of the game for either team.

Army needing to battle back once again in a third period this season were gifted life just before the halfway mark of the third period. In his defensive zone, Jack Ivey flipped the puck out of the zone to relive pressure, while also giving his linemates the chance to cause a turnover. Thats exactly what they did in the Holy Cross zone.

Junior captain Barron Woodring hounded the Crusader defender, forcing him to play a backhander off the near wall. As the F2 supporting Woodring, Vincent Salice intercepted that puck and wasted no time putting it on net. Salice shot from the above the left circle caught Louden Hogg off guard, and just like that, the game was again tied.

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The game would head to overtime with neither team finding a winner in the last ten minutes, despite Holy Cross getting a five minute power play following a Sam Groebner spearing penalty.

It was Army’s second overtime game in the last three games, and it was deja vu for the Black Knights. With Holy Cross on a partial two-on-one, junior defenseman Pierce Patterson made the play of the game.

Will Elias crossed the Army blue line and Patterson slid over and knocked the puck away as Elias tried to drag the puck around his stick. That play would spring the Black Knights on a two-on-one of their own with Nik Hong and Brent Keefer going the other way. Hong played a pass over to Keefer for a grade-A shot on his forehand that Louden Hogg made a acrobatic glove save, but there was a rebound.

The hockey God’s were on Army’s side tonight and the rebound bounced off the trailing Crusader Timothy Heinke and fell right to Hong in the blue paint. All Hong had to do was slide the puck into the net past Hogg, who was still on his back after making the highlight reel save, and the Army bench flooded the ice to mobbed him for the second time this month and celebrate their overtime victory.

Tonight the biggest bounce would go Army’s way and after a tough start in league play are 5-2 in there last seven conference games. For the Crusaders, they have now lost four straight games dropping them to fourth in the Atlantic Hockey America standings, tied with Sacred Heart on 30 points.

Wrapping up Thursday Night

Army (10-11-5, 5-10-3 AHA) is back in action tomorrow night against Holy Cross (11-12-2, 9-6-2) to wrap up the weekend. The Black Knights will be aiming for their second sweep of the season (Sacred Heart, 12/5 & 12/6).

Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m at the Hart Center in Worcester.

Game Summary

Final Score (OT): Army 3, Holy Cross 2
Date: January 29th, 2026
Venue: Hart Center, Worcester, M.A.
Attendance: 807
Officials: Referee – Aaron Townsend & William McGoldrick III; Linesman – Conor Foley & Adam Drexel

Scoring Summary

First Period

• 6:04 — Army: Adam Marshall (Sam Groebner & Nik Hong) EV — 1-0 Army

Second Period

• 4:11 — Holy Cross: Michael Abgrall (Timothy Heinke & Brody Gagno) EV — 1-1

Third Period

• 4:07 — Holy Cross: Matt DeBore (Jack Stockfish & Matthew Kursonis) PP — 2-1 Holy Cross
• 11:38 — Army: Vincent Salice (Unassisted) EV — 2-2

Overtime

• 1:55 — Army: Nik Hong (Brent Keefer & Pierce Patterson) EV — 3-2 Army

Team Stats

Goaltending

Holy Cross Crusaders

• Louden Hogg (OTL): 29 Saves on 32 shots (.906 SV%)

Army Black Knights

• JJ Cataldo (OTW): 35 Saves on 37 Shots (0.946 SV%)

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