Waltham, Mass. – Bentley University took to the ice for the first time since mid-March on Tuesday night, in the season opener of the 2020-21 season against Holy Cross, but the Falcons dropped a 2-1 decision to the Crusaders in overtime at Bentley Arena.

In what was the first game by any Bentley athletics team since last March when the sports world shut down due to COVID-19, the team's return to the ice was something to be celebrated in itself.

Though no fans were in attendance, seeing the team back on the ice brought an energizing presence back to Bentley Arena.

Falcons junior Jakov Novak (Windsor, Ontario) scored the first goal of the game late in the first period to give the Falcons a 1-0 lead. On the power play, senior Luke Santerno (Smithers, B.C.) dug the puck out from behind the net after a shot from the point by freshman defenseman Drew Bavaro. Santerno then fed Novak, stationed in the right face-off circle, who one-timed his shot past Holy Cross goalie Erik Gordon for a 1-0 lead with 1:06 left in the period.

Holy Cross got on the board 5:04 into the second period to tie the score. Defenseman Jack Robilotti knocked in the rebound after Falcons freshman goalie Nicholas Grabko (Channahon, Ill.) had saved an initial shot by Logan Ferguson.

That was the only shot to get past Grabko in regulation. Making his first career start in his first career game, he made 26 saves on the night, including 8 in the 2^nd period and 10 in the 3^rd period.

Neither team scored in the 3^rd period, which sent the game to overtime tied 1-1. In the 3-on-3 overtime, Holy Cross got the goal off the stick of Andrew Dumaresque 1:49 into the OT period to give the visitors the 2-1 victory.

Bentley, who earned a point in the standings for going to overtime, will next get back on the ice on Friday when they take on Army West Point.