BEVERLY, Mass. – Some say Friday afternoon's NCAA Division III Men's Hockey Semifinals was one of the greatest games ever played. It took five scoring changes and an overtime period to determine a winner. The Adrian College NCAA men's hockey team went on to defeat the University of New England, 8-7 in overtime.
Jacob Suede put the opening goal in the back of the net to lead 1-0 which was later followed by a goal from
Riley Murphy to lead 2-0. The Bulldogs went on the penalty kill and allowed a goal to head into the first intermission leading 2-1.
UNE went on to score four goals to start the second period to shock the Adrian crowd and lead 5-2.
Bradley Somers found the back of the net to put the Bulldogs down two heading into the third. After UNE's fifth goal of the game, Adrian was forced to make a goaltending change.
Adrian took over to start the third period. After entering the period on the power play,
Ty Enns sniped a shot from the blue line to make it 5-4. The Bulldogs went back on the penalty kill, but it didn't stop them.
Ryan Pitoscia picked off a pass on his way to scoring a shorthanded goal to tie the game 5-5. It was Enns who gave Adrian a 6-5 lead, but UNE answered later with two goals in under a minute to lead 7-6.
The Bulldogs were forced to pull their goaltender which paid off. Pitoscia scored with under a minute to go to tie the game 7-7 and force overtime.
It was a replay of the beginning of the 2022 National Championship when head coach Adam Krug challenged a play leading to a major penalty. Krug saw an opportunity to challenge a play for a major penalty and came away successful forcing a five-minute major and a game misconduct for spearing. Adrian jumped out on the power play where captain
Alessio Luciani deked the goaltender and scored the overtime winner to send the Bulldogs back to the National Championship.
Nic Tallarico started in goal for Adrian finishing with 15 saves in the first 30 minutes of the game.
Dershahn Stewart came in after the goalie change and finished with 13 saves for Adrian.
The Bulldogs will face the winner of Hobart College and Endicott College on Sunday, March 26 at 7:00 PM.
