Seniors lead AC in historic outdoor game

Adrian Press Release

The historic 2010 Frozen Faceoff at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor was a special day for all Adrian College players, coaches and 1,470 fans who braved the cold weather in order to be a part of the first NCAA Division III outdoor hockey game.

The end result was not too shabby either as the ninth-ranked Bulldogs (8-2, 7-1 MCHA) blanked the Concordia (Wis.) University Falcons by a final score of 3-0.

Senior Brad Fogal made 27 saves, earning his 13th career shutout and his first this season. Senior Jeremy Cross played the final 6:25 of the second period in goal and made three saves.

Seniors Joel Workman, Kyle Watson and Brad Houston all scored for Adrian in the contest, etching their name into the record books.

Workman scored just 1:48 into the game unassisted at even strength. He took the puck and came from the side of the goal and slipped a wrap-around shot past Concordia goaltender Everett Devlin for his third tally of the season.

Watson made it 2-0 after one period at 3:29 also at even strength. His second goal of the season was a sharp angle shot from the left faceoff circle which beat Devlin top shelf. Sam Kuzyk and Quinn Waller each had an assist on the goal.

Midway through the second period, Houston scored his sixth of the year on the power play at 11:21. He took a pass from Mike Dahlinger and skated between the circles and let a shot go to the glove side of Devlin. The goaltender got a piece of the puck, but it squirted past the goal line for a 3-0 lead. Kuzyk got his second assist of the day on the goal.

Adrian had a slim 34-30 edge in shots on goal. The Adrian penalty kill continued to succeed allowing no power play goals on six attempts by the Falcons. The Bulldogs were 1-for-2 on the man advantage for the game.

"This was a very unique opportunity and we are very grateful to the University of Michigan for allowing us to be a part of history," said fourth-year Adrian head coach Ron Fogarty. "Our guys will remember this feeling for the rest of their lives. You look around this stadium and think of all the amazing athletes who have played here. To be the first hockey game here is such an honor. We got a chance to showcase Division III hockey and both programs played inspired hockey."

Photo courtesy Adrian College Athletics