Men's Hockey scores three power-play goals, falls at No. 4/6 Adrian

ADRIAN, Mich. – Concordia University Wisconsin and No. 4/6 Adrian College again played physical on Saturday afternoon, but it was the Bulldogs who earned a 4-3 Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association victory at Arrington Ice Center.

The Falcons were very successful on their man-advantage chances scoring three power-play goals in six opportunities to stay within reach of an upset victory. Both teams again forced the referees to earn their pay as 17 penalties were called for 34 minutes. In the two game series a combined 39 penalties were whistled for 111 minutes.

AC (9-0-0, 8-0-0 MCHA) led 2-1 after the opening period after scoring two even-strength goals two minutes and 38 seconds apart. Freshman Connor Pennell (Kamsack, Saskatchewan) scored the first of CUW's power-play markers at 11:10 in the first frame. Freshmen Ben Jaremko (Anoka, Minn.) and Cody Kostecki (Thunder Bay, Ontario) assisted on the score.

The Bulldogs pushed their lead to 3-1 after Zach Graham found the back of the net for an unassisted power-play score under two minutes into the second period.

Freshman Dan Szerlip (Newton, Mass.) took a Kevin Michelcavage (freshman, Sterling Heights, Mich.) and Eli Riddle (freshman, Blissfield, Mich.) passing combination to score a power-play goal at 4:29 in the second frame.

Freshman Franco Loparco's (Toronto, Ontario) shot on goal evened the scoreboard at 3-3 at 11:38 in the second period to give the Falcons (4-7-0, 4-4-0 MCHA) two-straight power-play goals. Szerlip and Kostecki connected again and were credited with assists on the play.

Nearly midway through the final 20 minutes of action, Josh Ranalli scored the game-winning goal for the Bulldogs. Shaquille Merasty assisted on the marker. AC outshot the Falcons, 46-37, in the win.

Freshman Jake Hebda (Firestone, Colo.) recorded 42 saves in the game, his third 40-plus save game this season. James Hamby earned the win between the pipes after saving 34 shots on goals.

CUW plays its final games of the 2012 calendar year on Friday and Saturday against St. John's University at the Ozaukee Ice Center. Friday's non-conference matchup is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.