HARTFORD, Conn. — Sometimes the puck bounces, sometimes it doesn't.
In Thursday's NCAA Division III men's hockey Frozen Four, Adrian College lost 2-1 to host Trinity in too many instances where the puck didn't bounce as much as it needed to lose its third straight championship game.
“I'm a big believer in you creating your own bounce,” coach Adam Klug said. “We played hard and I don't know why we couldn't get some bounce tonight.”
The third-ranked Bulldogs (24-7-1) trailed 1-0 after the first inning despite Bantam goaltender Devon Bobank blocking a number of great chances. . Trinity took a 2-0 lead early in the second period, but true to Adrian's style, they didn't back down.
Bradley Summers scored at 13:56 off an assist from Zachary Heinz and Cam Babiak, and the Bulldogs took a flurry of shots to tie the game, but each one was deflected or clattered off the pipe. Ta.
“The game went the way I thought it would go if we lost,” Klug said. “We couldn't go to Devon. He was very good.”
Beaubank stopped 31 shots, and Darshaan Stewart also replaced Adrian with 35 saves.
As the season draws to a close, it's time to look back and admire what the Bulldogs accomplished during the season.
Adrian has competed in the Frozen Fours three years in a row, going 3-2 that season and winning the national title and runner-up.
“I was just grateful for the opportunity to wear this jersey,” senior defenseman Jayden Shields said. “The fact that it came along with three Frozen 4s, not many people in this country can say that. That's something I'll remember for the rest of my life.”
In addition to Shields, Heinz, Matthew Roeding, Jon Kaljian, Connor Maye, Ayodele Adeniye, Babiak and Stewart are all seniors and may transfer or some may have a chance to play another season. unknown.
Regardless of whether it was the end of the group, their influence remained deep in Adrian College history, as all were involved in a national title, the only NCAA team title in school history.
“I don't know if I'm going to go somewhere else, get a job in life, or continue to play professionally with the same connections I have here in Adrian,” Shields said.
Even if the entire class leaves, there are still a number of players returning to keep the Bulldogs in position to contend for yet another NCA title, a playoff berth, and perhaps a spot in their fourth straight Frozen Four. It will come.
“They created (a winning culture),” Krug said. “We're giving them an avenue to create it, but it's up to them. This team was that close for some reason. They're strong and they know they're strong and can do anything. We are grateful that Adrian College was willing to come. That class is especially the most decorated, and it should be. ”
