In collecting its fourth-straight Harris Cup, Adrian made a statement about the next step in its journey as an NCAA tournament-bound team.
The fifth-ranked Bulldogs skated to a 5-0 victory over Marian on Sunday in the Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association title game at Arrington Ice Arena.
Seniors Shawn Skelly and Zach Graham led the Bulldogs with two goals each. Jordan Watts supplied the game’s other goal while Brad Fogal stopped 30 shots to secure the shutout.
The milestone victory also marked Adrian’s 100th win in only four years as a Division III program.
In capturing the league crown, Adrian earned its second trip to the NCAA tournament where the team crashed out 4-3 to St. Norbert in the first round last year.
This time is different, said Fogal, who earned his first shutout of the season. The senior netminder also shared in a 3-0 shutout with teammate Jeremy Cross in the team’s highly publicized outdoor game against Concordia (Wis.) at University of Michigan Stadium Dec. 4.
“This year, we know what to expect,” Fogal said. “Last year, we went into it sort of blind and didn’t know what to expect in terms of what it takes to prepare for it. This year, we’re taking the right steps and peaking at the right time.”
Adrian (23-3-1) maintained a 2-0 lead going into the third period, killing a hooking penalty to Mike Dahlinger before going on a three-goal rampage. Marian (19-8) was 0 for 4 on the power play as MCHA leading scorer Dakota Dubetz (15 goals, 34 assists, 49) and fellow triggerman Brendan Hull (22-21-43) were held pointless.
Hull (3 goals and 2 assists) and Dubetz (a goal and 3 assists) combined for nine points in the Sabres’ 9-2 thrashing of No. 3-seed and No. 9-ranked Milwaukee School of Engineering in the semifinal Saturday. The spigot was shut tight a day later.
Adrian outshot Marian, 40-30.
“We just couldn’t sustain any pressure and get pucks to the net,” Marian Coach Jasen Wise said. “I thought defensively that was one of the best games I’ve seen from Adrian in a long time.
“They took away our time and space in their D-zone and really didn’t give our forwards any scoring chances.”
Defensemen Quinn Waller and Jeremy Klaver got the assignment to keep the Sabres’ scoring duo in check. Klaver finished with two assists and was plus-2 while Waller was plus-one.
“We just played smart defensively, clearing pucks out,” Adrian Coach Ron Fogarty said.
The offense took its cue from the rearguards.
Skelly earned MCHA Tournament MVP with his 8 points on 2 goals and 6 assists during the weekend.
The senior right wing had five assists in Adrian’s 9-2 win over No. 4-seed Lawrence in Saturday’s semifinal. Left wing Eric Miller cashed in for 3 goals and 3 assists for 6 points against the Vikings (14-13-1).
Skelly scored Adrian’s first two goals on Sunday while assisting on Graham’s second marker with 6:37 left to make it 5-0.
Skelly, who is one shy of 100 career goals, credited his line mates Graham and Miller for the superlative performance.
“We want to be recognized as big-time players and big-time players step up in big time games,” said Miller, who is one point away from amassing 200 career points. “A lot of us haven’t gotten respect outside of the MCHA. “This (fourth-straight title) may have done it or may not have done it. We don’t care about that. It’s about helping our team win.”
St. Norbert repeat NCHA champs
St. Norbert captured its ninth Northern Collegiate Hockey Association Peters Cup by scrapping out a 2-1 win over No. 2 -seed Wisconsin-Superior on Saturday at the Cornerstone Community Center.
As NCHA champs, the No. 1-ranked Green Knights return to the NCAA D-III tournament where they finished as runners up after losing 2-1 to Norwich in double-overtime in last year’s championship game.
Johan Ryd’s goal at 15:41 of the second period stood as the game-winner as No. 1-ranked St. Norbert held a 2-0 lead entering the final frame.
Nick Tabisz opened the Green Knights’ account with his seventh goal at 7:18 of the first period. Brandon Hoogenboom and Ryd assisted on the power-play tally.
With the goalie pulled for an extra attacker, UW-Superior’s Derek Stauber scored with 45 seconds left. The Yellowjackets couldn’t convert in the final 25 seconds with freshman goalie Drew Strandberg off for a sixth skater.
B.J. O’Brien stopped stopped 30 of 31 shots, including 11 in the third period, to earn the victory. UW-Superior (16-12-1) outshot the hosts, 31-22.
“(Superior) was good,” St. Norbert coach Tim Coghlin told the Green Bay Press Gazette afterwards. “I thought they played one heck of a game — they really did. I just feel like we have more to give. It feels like we have more gas in the tank and we’re going to have to bounce back next week and we need more bodies to be at their peak.”
Hamline captures MIAC crown
Jordan VanGilder, Brett Burgau and Brian Arrigoni scored during a three-goal barrage in the first period, which propelled No. 11-ranked Hamline to a 5-2 victory over visiting Concordia (Minn.) in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title game Saturday.
With the win, the Pipers (16-6-5) earned an automatic invite to the NCAA tournament, which starts Wednesday.
Arrigoni finished with a hat trick, adding two goals in the third period – the last one an empty-netter with 34 seconds left.
Caleb Sunderman and Aaron Wheeler scored for the Cobbers (11-11-4), who pulled to within two, 4-2, with 9:51 left.
Piper netminder Beau Christian (14-4-3) made 19 saves to earn the win. Concordia goalie Kelly Andrew was replaced at 8:54 of the first period by Chris Neamonitis, who was tagged with the loss.
VanGilder’s scored 52 seconds into contest while Burgau bagged a goal four minutes later. Arrigoni struck for the first of three goals at the 9:03 mark of the period.
