De Pere, Wisconsin – The formula was pretty simple last weekend for the No. 3 Adrian College Men’s NCAA Ice Hockey team: win one game in regulation against your rival (on the road) in a two game series and you win the NCHA regular season championship.
The Bulldogs defeated No. 14 St. Norbert College 6-1 Friday. The win secured the school it’s 14th Peter’s Cup…and the 4th consecutive season bringing home the hardware.
In the first period, Riley Murphy put the Bulldogs ahead 1-0 on an unassisted goal. Adrian struck again in the second period on a goal from Zachary Heintz to lead 2-0. Later in the period, Ty Enns added to the scoring which was backed by a goal from Sam Ruffin to lead 4-0 after two periods of play.
In the third period, Ruffin scored again on a power play to extend the lead. Enns went on to net his second goal of the game on a power play to put Adrian ahead 6-0. Late in the third, St. Norbert scored its only goal of the game to bring the final to 6-1.
Nic Tallarico got the start in goal for Adrian on Friday where he totaled 28 saves on the night. Ruffin led the team with four points on two goals with two assists while Heintz added a goal and three assists on the evening.
Adrian lost the second game of the series, the final game of the regular season, Saturday night by a score of 6-1. The Bulldogs will be the #1 seed in the NCHA playoffs and will play #8 seed Concordia, Wisconsin in a two game series this weekend in Adrian. Friday’s game is scheduled for 7pm, with the second game slated for 3pm at the Arrington Ice Arena.
*Photo credit to Mike Prang, Adrian College Sports Information Director*