Adrian is the Top Dog!
Congratulations to Adrian College, as the Bulldogs handled St. Norbert College on the road by a final score of 6-1 to claim the Peters Cup Championship for the ninth straight season and 15th time in the past 16 years to extend an amazing streak. Adrian took a 1-0 lead into the second and went off, adding three more in the next period and six unanswered in all before the Green Knights broke up the shutout late in the third period. Sam Ruffin led the way with two goals and two assists and Ty Enns also had a pair of goals while Nic Tallarico finished with 28 saves.
That’s what we know for now. With one night of action left, there is still plenty to be decided. Second through fourth place is currently just two points apart and fifth through seventh are separated by a mere six points. Stay tuned and scoreboard watch with us on Saturday as the final seeds are determined.
As it stands, Aurora and St. Norbert both have 36 points (the Spartans hold the head-to-head tiebreaker), and Trine holds 34 points for fourth, which each of those teams already clinching home ice in the first round of the postseason following tonight's action.
MSOE (28), Marian (26 after a 5-4 win over LFC in the closing minute on a goal by Daunte Fortner), and Lake Forest (22) lurk behind, with the final spot yet to be decided between Concordia Wisconsin (13) and Lawrence (12).
On the women’s side, Adrian scored at the 19:59.9 mark of regulation to claim a 2-1 victory over Aurora in a thrilling finish to move into second place behind St. Norbert (40 points/bye weekend) while Lake Forest (23 points) and Concordia Wisconsin (18) each picked up important victories as the regular season continues to wind down.
NCHA MEN
Finlandia 4 v. Concordia 3 OT
Trine 3 v. Lawrence 0
Adrian 6 v. St. Norbert 1
Aurora 4 v. MSOE 1
Marian 5 v. Lake Forest 4
NCHA WOMEN
Lake Forest 6 v. Trine 0
Concordia Wisconsin 6 v. Lawrence 0
Adrian 2 v. Aurora 1