Saturday's Harris Cup Championship will feature Adrian College and Aurora University for the right to hoist the trophy as the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association's top team in the tournament. The winner will be the league's automatic qualifier for the NCAA Division III Tournament.
Adrian, the defending Harris Cup Champions and winners of eight titles, hosts Aurora, who is making its first Harris Cup Championship appearance.
Where: Adrian, Michigan (Arrington Ice Arena)
When: Saturday, March 4 at 7 pm EST
Who: No. 8 Aurora at No. No. 3 Adrian
What: Harris Cup Championship
How to follow: Live video | Live stats
Harris Cup History
Adrian has won eight titles dating back to the 2007-08 season and collected four-consecutive championships from 2007-08 to 2010-11. Last season they won the championship with a 12-3 defeat over St. Norbert.
Aurora is 2-6 all-time in the Harris Cup playoffs and won a mini-game to advance to the semifinals before eventually falling to St. Norbert last season.
Players to watch
Adrian: Matus Spodniak won the NCHA Player of the Year honors for the first time in his career after pacing the conference in scoring. He currently leads the NCAA Division III level in total points (55 - 28G, 27A), points-per-game (1.96), and goals (28), while also sitting tied for third in assists (27) and tied for ninth in game-winning goals (4).
Aurora: Jack Jaunich and Adam Keyes were a 1-2 punch all season for the Spartans. They ranked second or third in points and goals during league play, and Keyes was tied for second with 16 assists. Both forwards were awarded All-NCHA for their play.
Team strengths
Adrian: The Bulldogs can score and light up the lamp often. They rank first nationally with 450 points and have the second-highest-scoring offense at 5.68 goals per game. This season they tallied five or more goals in 15 games. Adrian also ranks first in power-play percentage (.430).
Aurora: The Spartans have shown offensive power as well, ranking fourth nationally with 318 points. They are also fourth with 204 assists. In 12 games this season they have found the back of the net five times or more.
Season matchup
Aurora traveled to Adrian for a series a month ago, which the Bulldogs won by scores of 8-4 and 8-2. In those games, the Bulldogs scored at least two goals in five of the six periods. Riley Murphy had five goals and Adrian goalies combined for 51 saves. Aurora scored three goals on the power play, while Adrian had six.