ADRIAN, Mich. - The 100th win in program history was especially sweet on Sunday afternoon as the Adrian College men's hockey team captured their fourth straight MCHA Harris Cup with a 5-0 win over Marian University at Arrington Ice Arena. The team was firing on all cylinders as they opened up a close game with three third-period goals to send them back to the NCAA Tournament with the league's automatic bid.
"We really wanted this one," said senior Shawn Skelly, the tournament's Most Valuable Player. "Our group of 17 seniors have had some amazing things and we left it all out on the ice this afternoon. My teammates are so great and I'm honored to be named the MVP."
Skelly had two goals and one assist in the final after assisting on five goals in the semifinal. He scored the first two goals of the game at 14:27 of the first period and 4:22 of the second period to give AC a 2-0 lead after 40 minutes. The first goal came off a deflection in front by Skelly off a shot by senior Bobby Hineman. Hineman and Zach Graham each had an assist on Skelly's 17th goal of the season. The second goal was a highlight reel play as Skelly took the puck out in front of the net and quickly lifted a backhand shot at a sharp angle into the top right corner of the goal. It was his 18th of the season and 99th of his career.
Adrian scored their third and fourth goals just 30 seconds apart at 5:16 and 5:46 of the third period. Graham scored his 13th of the season after Miller's initial shot was stopped and Graham picked up the rebound and found room behind two Marian defenders by the net. Miller and Hineman each had an assist on the goal. Jordan Watts made it 4-0 also off a rebound from Josh Cousineau for his 12th goal of the season. Jeremy Klaver also had an assist on the goal.
Graham ended the scoring at 13:26 on the power play as Skelly ripped a shot and Graham was again in position for a rebound. It was Graham's seventh power play goal of the year. Miller, Graham, Klaver and Brad Fogal all were named to the all-tournament team. Fogal pitched his first shutout of the season and 13th of his career. He stopped all 30 shots and won for the 91st time in net.
