ADRIAN, Mich. – For the first time in program history, the Adrian College NCAA men's hockey team is heading on the road for the NCHA Semifinals. With a season record of 17-9-1 and a conference mark of 10-7-1, the Bulldogs earned the No. 4 seed and will face the top-seeded Aurora University Spartans. Adrian advanced to the Semifinals following a quarterfinal series split with MSOE, before securing the win in a thrilling mini-game overtime.
Currently ranked No. 14 in the USCHO.com Poll and No. 11 in the NPI rankings, Adrian will face a tough challenge against Aurora, which ranks No. 2 in the USCHO.com Poll and No. 3 in the NPI rankings. Earlier this season, Aurora swept the Bulldogs in a two-game conference series, winning 4-1 and 4-2. However, Adrian bounced back on New Year's Eve with a non-conference victory over the Spartans, claiming a 6-4 win.
The Bulldogs have averaged 3.8 goals per game this season while allowing 2.9. They currently rank eighth in the country in power play percentage at 27.4%, and are also ranked ninth in assists and points, while sitting 13th in scoring.
Adrian's offense is led by Ian Amsbaugh, who has recorded 39 points with 13 goals and 26 assists. Bradley Somers follows with 34 points, including 12 goals and 22 assists. Ryan Pitoscia is third with 23 points, tallying 12 goals and 11 assists. Freshman Frank Tafelski is tied for the team lead in goals, having scored 13 in his debut season. In goal, Adrian will continue to rely on Dershahn Stewart, who has made 24 starts this season, earning a 15-8-1 record with two shutouts, a 2.65 goals-against average, and a save percentage of 90.9%.
Aurora boasts an impressive 23-3-1 record this season and claimed the NCHA Peters Cup for the first time with a 15-2-1 conference record. The Spartans are undefeated at home, with a perfect 13-0-0 record. Aurora averages 5.0 goals per game and allows just 2.3. Much of their success comes from NCHA Player of the Year, Landry Schmuck, who has scored 30 goals this season.
The winner of the NCHA Harris Cup Semifinals will advance to the Harris Cup Final, where they will face the winner of No. 2 St. Norbert and No. 3 Trine University on Saturday, March 8, for the chance to secure an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The NCHA Semifinal between Adrian and Aurora is scheduled for Saturday, March 1, at 8:00 PM ET.
