Cusin's hat trick too much for Men's Hockey, Falcons fall at No. 1 Adrian

ADRIAN, Mich. – Ryan Cusin of No. 1 Adrian recorded a hat trick as the Concordia University Wisconsin Men's Hockey team dropped a 4-1 contest Saturday afternoon. The game was the final of the regular season for the Falcons, who will host an opening round Harris Cup Playoffs series next weekend at the Ozaukee Ice Center.

THE BASICS
- Final Score: No. 1 Adrian 4, Concordia Wisconsin 1
- Location: Arrington Ice Arena – Adrian, Michigan  
- Records: Adrian 21-4, 17-1 NCHA; CUW 16-7-2, 12-6 NCHA

HOW IT HAPPENED
- Adrian built a 2-0 lead as Matt McNair struck 6:47 into the game and Cusin had his first goal with 4:41 left in the opening period. Dino Balsamo, who assisted on all of Cusin's goals, and Dean Hewines, picked up assists on the second goal of the period for Adrian.

- The Falcons lone score came just 42 seconds after Cusin's goal and was scored by senior Nick Szopinski (Beaver Dam, Wis.). The tally was the first of Szopinski's collegiate career and was assisted by Jake Switzer (Swansea, Ill.) and Travis Marit (Assiniboia, Saskatchewan).

- Cusin would add a power play goal in the second and finished off his hat trick 8:18 into the third period.

- Nick Malvin (Ham Lake, Minn.) tallied 33 saves on Saturday afternoon, his sixth 30-plus save effort over his last eight games. His counterpart, Dillon Kelley, finished the game with 26 saves.

UP NEXT
- The Falcons will host an NCHA playoff series for the first time in program history next weekend. CUW will play Lake Forest on Friday at 8 p.m. and again on Saturday at 7 p.m. If the two teams split the first two games, a mini-game will take place following Saturday's contest.