ADRIAN, Mich. - 4-0 is the record for the Adrian College ACHA DI men's hockey team as they defeated the Hoosiers of Indiana for the second time sweeping the weekend series. In this day two physical matchup, the Bulldogs applied heavy pressure early and often as Indiana could not clear their own zone in the first period. Adrian got on the board early once again with a shot from freshman Matt O'Neill at the point, he hooked up with a pass from fellow freshman Darrell Boldon getting the assist. This gave the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead.
Indiana continued the physical play and it would cost them two penalties both just under a minute apart giving Adrian a 5-on-3 advantage. Adrian showed great puck control and had plenty of chances, but couldn't find the net and took a 1-0 lead into the locker room at the end of the first period.
In the second period, the Bulldogs employed physical play to knock around the Hoosiers and both Jordan Spear and Brandon Boelter would use their size and strength making big hits on the Hoosiers. Starting goaltender for the Bulldogs sophomore Matt Anderson was asked to make big save after big save right on his doorstep and he was equal to the task each time. Late in the second period, Logan Blackwell hooked up with Ryan Bachman for the second goal. Blackwell curled around the cage and found a cutting Bachman for a one-timer goal at the 15:45 mark in the period. This made the Bulldogs lead 2-0 ending the period.
Early in the third period it was back and forth hockey until penalties on the Bulldogs just sixteen seconds apart occurred giving Indiana a 5-on-3 advantage. Hustle and effort plays were the story for the Bulldogs penalty kill as Spencer Bonomo made a diving effort to clear the zone and both Joe Anstett and Tristan Musser each sacrificed their bodies to keep a shot from getting to Anderson.
Anderson would make big pad and glove saves as the Bulldogs killed off both penalties. Later in the period, Blackwell would find the back of the net as he cleaned up the garbage in front of the cage after a rebound shot from the point deflected off the Hoosier goaltender. This gave Adrian a 3-0 lead and just a few minutes later Spear would hook up with Bonomo for the fourth and final goal giving Adrian a 4-0 win.
Anderson had another solid day between the pipes with 32 saves and earned his first shutout of the season.
The ACHA DI men's hockey team is back home on October 15, 2011 at 3:00 p.m. as they take on the Broncos of Western Michigan.
