ADRIAN, Mich.--The Adrian College ACHA Division I men's hockey squad defeated Oakland University on Friday night at Arrington Ice Arena 3-1, to run their record to 3-0 and open conference play 1-0.
Adrian capitalized on special team situations to get past the Grizzlies, scoring a first period power-play goal and then adding two goals in the third period, first in a four-on-four situation and then another power-play goal to account for their offense.
Nick Balavich (Lake Orion, MI) scored on the Bulldogs very first power-play of the evening with assist from Bobby Bodette (Garden, MI) and Justin Polischuk (Victoria, BC).
Neither team could score in a penalty-filled a second period, which saw six Bulldogs and two Grizzlies spend time in the box, which included a pair of coincidental minors for roughing as the horn sounded to end the second stanza.
Adrian's of Brad Korbyn (Burlington, ON) took advantage of the four on four situation almost immediately scoring his third goal of the campaign just 59 seconds in on assists from Andre Rakas (Holt, MI) and Justin Fisher (Flushing, MI). Adrian then increased their lead on another power-play tally by Chris Derochie (Rossland, BC), his second of the year, with assist from Trevor Benaglio (Battle Creek, MI) and Fisher.
Goaltender Matt Schnoes (Plymouth, MI) nearly hung on for his second shutout, surrendering just one goal as Oakland's Connor Durgan scored with just 2.7 seconds remaining on the clock for Oakland's only tally. Schnoes made 21 saves on the evening and is now 2-0 and is sporting an impressive 0.50 goals against average.
The Bulldogs outshot Oakland 40-22 as Grizzlies net minder Bryce Goulah made 37 saves in a losing effort. The two teams will do battle again on Saturday night at the Onyx ice Arena in Rochester starting at 8:30.
--David VanGeison
