GENEVA, Ill. – Another road trip for the Adrian College NCAA men's hockey team as the two-game series against Aurora University started on Friday night. Friday was the first game against a ranked opponent for the No. 1 Bulldogs since December 30 as the Spartans rank 12^th in the USCHO poll.
 
Aurora grabbed the momentum early with a first period goal to excite the home crowd. Adrian had multiple chances in the first putting nine shots on goal of their 25 for the period. 
 
Adrian came alive in the second period tying the game at 9:11 in the period. Alessio Luciani picked up an even strength goal on assists from Rex Moe and Dante Spagnuolo. Later in the period, Sam Ruffin gave Adrian the lead to go up 2-1. Ty Enns and Chase Spencer recorded assists on the goal for Adrian.
 
Aurora had an opportunity late in the second period on a breakaway, but Cameron Gray made the save in goal to keep the Bulldog lead.
 
At 7:23 in the third period, Moe picked up a goal to extend Adrian's lead to 3-1. Later in the period, Ryan Pitoscia caught the goalie out of position and scored on an open net to lead 4-1. Aurora had a chance in the third during a pile up in front of the net, but Gray was there again to record the stops and hold the Bulldog lead. Late in the third, Aurora scored a power play goal to lead 4-2, but it wasn't enough as Adrian came away with the win.
 
Gray finished the day with 43 saves for Adrian including 24 in the third period. The Bulldogs move its winning streak to 21 games and improve to 21-1 (15-0 NCHA) on the season.
 
Adrian will take on Aurora in game two of the series on Saturday at 4:00 PM EST.