ADRIAN, Mich. — Lawrence University came close again against No. 6 Adrian College, but the Bulldogs held on for a 2-1 victory in the Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association Harris Cup semifinals on Saturday at Arrington Arena.
This marks the third time in three meetings this season that Adrian (20-5-1) posted a one-goal win over the Vikings (13-11-4).
Adrian scored both of its goals in a two-minute span in the first period.
After Huck Saunders got sent off for cross-checking at the 12:48 mark, Adrian’s Shelby Gray scored just nine seconds later on the power play for a 1-0 lead. Adrian finished 1-for-4 on the power play.
Zach Graham then made it 2-0 just 2:03 later on an even-strength goal for the Bulldogs.
Lawrence battled back midway through the second period. After Josh Ranalli was whistled for a five-minute charging penalty at 6:47, the Vikings cashed in. Brad Scurfield scored a power-play goal off assists from Jameson Raymond and Matt Hughes at the 10:28 mark. Lawrence went 1-for-5 on the power play.
The Vikings then dominated play in the third period but could not get the equalizier. Lawrence outshot the Bulldogs 13-2 in the third period and enjoyed a 36-24 edge in shots for the game. Adrian didn’t get a shot on net in the final 17 minutes of the game.
Lawrence had one power-play chance in the third period when Ranalli got a two-minute charging penalty at the 10:53 mark. The Vikings got four shots on net during the power play but couldn’t get one past goaltender Scott Shackell.
Shackell stopped 35 shots in the victory.
The Vikings pulled goaltender Peter Emery with 1:14 remaining but couldn’t get a shot on goal. Emery stopped 22 shots for the Vikings.
Adrian faces either MSOE or Marian University in the Harris Cup championship game on Sunday.