Hockey hit with 2 losses against Adrian

Ted Greeley

The men’s hockey team traveled to Adrian, Mich. this past weekend to take on the Adrian College Bulldogs. The Vikes lost both games; 9-2 on Friday and a closely fought 4-3 game on Saturday.The Bulldogs are a new edition to the MCHA and Division III hockey this season. Predicted to finish second in the MCHA, the Bulldogs were a test for the Vikings.

From the drop of the puck on Friday night, it was evident the Vikings weren’t going to bring their best game. At 1:18 of the first period, the Vikings gave up a goal. After another Adrian goal, Jon Sacks chipped the puck past Bulldogs’ goaltender, Brad Fogal, to make the score 2-1 at 8:46 of the first. That would be as close as the Vikings got for the rest of the game. Adrian followed up Sacks’ goal with three more goals in the first period.

The second period started with the score 5-1 Adrian. Adrian added another goal and then Josh Peterson scored on a 5-3 power play with a shot under the cross bar at 14:42. The Vikings out shot the Bulldogs in the second period 8 to 7. Adrian added three more goals in the third period to end the game with a 9-2 victory.

Evan Johnson started the game for the Vikings in goal and made 7 saves. Riley Stank came in after the first to make 16 saves. Brad Fogal made 24 stops for the Bulldogs.

Saturday night the Vikings looked to rebound after a tough loss the night before. Evan Johnson got the start for the Vikes in goal, and it was evident he was ready to play.

Johnson turned away 35 pucks on the night, but it would not be enough. At 12:21 of the first, Adrian took their first lead of the night with a power play goal.

The Vikings responded with a power play goal of their own at 17:21 of the first. Josh DeSmit came down on the right side of the net, moved around a defenseman with a move to his backhand, and put the puck top-shelf. The first period would end with ones on the board.

The second period started with a flurry for the Bulldogs. Adam Krug scored two goals in less than a minute to give Adrian a 3-1 lead two minutes into the period. Nick Jennette would bring the game back to one at 12:39 on a shot on a rebound kicked out after Marc Howe drove to the net.

The third period remained scoreless until 13:24 when Adam Krug completed his hat trick. The Vikings would respond at 15:40, when Billy Siers put a shot on net and followed up on the rebound. He put the puck past Bryan Scott, the Adrian goaltender, with a one handed shot, and the game ended at a respectable score of 4-3.