Adrian, MI – The Adrian College NCAA men’s hockey team (11-3, 6-2 NCHA) won both games of their New Years Eve three team showcase, downing Aurora University (11-3, 6-2 NCHA) and Bowdoin College (5-5, 3-2 NESCAC).
Dawgs Down Spartans in Non-Conference Top-7 Clash…
Sunday night the No. 7 Bulldogs hosted No. 5 Aurora University Spartans, looking to avenge the last time Aurora came to town earlier in the season when the Spartans came away with a conference sweep. This time around, the Bulldogs trailed early but posted a five-goal second period to defeat the Spartans, 6-4.
Aurora led 2-0 after the first period and opened the second period with a goal to lead 3-0. Riley Murphy answered back scoring on the Bulldog power play to make it 3-1. Patrick Saini netted a power play goal before Ryan Vellucci scored shorthanded to tie the game 3-3. Ryder Nienhuis netted a goal in the second to take the lead before Frank Tafelski scored on the power play to lead 5-3. Aurora netted a power play goal in the third to pull back to within one, but Saini netted his second of the game on an empty netter to lock up the win.
Tafelski and Murphy added an assist to their goals to finish the night with two points while Bradley Somers recorded a pair of assists for a multi-point game. Dershahn Stewart finished the game with 34 saves in goal including 12 saves in the first period and 13 in the second period. Adrian’s power play finished the game 3-for-5.
Stellar Day by Stewart Leads Bulldogs Past Polar Bears in First-Ever Matchup…
The Adrian College NCAA men’s hockey team wrapped up the 2024 calendar year at home against Bowdoin College. Tuesday’s contest marked the first matchup between the two teams in program history. Adrian went on to take the opening series matchup, 4-0.
Adrian took a 1-0 lead in the first period after a power play goal from Ryan Pitoscia. With nine minutes to go in the second period, a puck deflected off the arm of Riley Murphy and into the net for another power play goal giving the Bulldogs a 2-0 lead entering the third. In the third period, the Bulldogs added another goal from Adrian native Colin Whaley, marking his first collegiate goal of his career. Late in the third period, Ryan Vellucci went on to score an empty netter to win 4-0.
Dershahn Stewart started in goal for the Bulldogs finishing the afternoon with 37 saves in the shut out. David Clarke, of Tecumseh, racked up a pair of assists on the afternoon.
Adrian will return to action at home on Friday, January 10 when they host Trine University for a home non-conference contest at 7:00 PM.
*media courtesy of Adrian College*