LYNCHBURG, VA. – The No. 2 Adrian College Men's ACHA Division 1 hockey team hit the road to Virginia this weekend for a two-game set at No. 5 Liberty University. The Bulldogs and Flames battled to a split, with the Flames winning game one on Friday, 4-3, and the Bulldogs claiming game two on Saturday, 4-2.

The two top-five teams in the ACHA met back in October in Adrian, with both teams coming out with a win. On Friday night, the Bulldogs and Flames battled back and forth in a physical game, but it was the Flames who capitalized on their opportunities, going up 3-0 midway through the second period. The Bulldogs answered back quickly before the period closed on a net-front tally from Justin Jamer. To open the third period, Adrian would add a quick one on the power play thanks to Matteo DiGiulio. Some more back and forth action ensued, but the Flames would eventually add a late one to move ahead 4-2 with a handful of minutes remaining. After a late 5-on-3 power play opportunity presented itself, the Bulldogs pulled the goaltender and made a last-minute push, eventually adding another, this time from Sam Spaedt. Liberty would hold on to secure the victory. Adrian backstop, Noah Decottignies made 29 saves in the loss.

The Bulldogs sought out revenge on Saturday afternoon, coming out on top in dominant fashion. Spaedt, Matthew DiCesare, Hunter Allen, and Sebastian Smith would score the goals for Adrian in the 4-2 win, while Decottignies was a brick wall in net, stopping 26 of 28 shots faced. The win would secure the season split with Liberty and improve the Bulldogs to 26-3-0 on the season, with two games remaining in the regular season.

The No. 2 MD1 Bulldogs will return home for a GLCHL conference series home and home next week with No. 16 Grand Valley State beginning on Thursday, February 8 at 7:30 PM at the Arrington Ice Arena. The conference foes will then meet on Friday, February 9 at Grand Valley for a 7:30 PM puck drop.