Feb. 2, 2008

Stats

ADRIAN, Mich. - The #11 Adrian College Bulldogs earned their 12th consecutive win in dramatic fashion on Saturday afternoon against the MCHA-foe Marian College.

In a game where each period had a different feel for each team, the Bulldogs took the early lead on Shawn Skelly's 24th goal of the season when he fired a slap shot just inside of the Bulldog zone past the Sabres' goalie 3:42 into the game. The initial lead did not last long, however, as Todd Collins scored his first goal of the game 21 seconds after Skelly's goal. After a well-played period by both teams, the Bulldogs grabbed a 2-1 lead before intermission when Samuel Kuzyk cleaned up a loose puck in front of the goal 1:16 prior to the break.

In the second period, the Sabres seemed to take control of the game. Collins struck for his second goal of the game just 25 seconds into the second frame to knot the score at 2-2. Goaltender Cullen Caldwell helped keep his team in the game throughout the contest, shutting the Bulldogs down on the doorstep a number of times. Carl Bresser gave the Sabres their first and only lead of the game on a 5-on-3 opportunity at 12:12. Three and a half minutes later, the visitors stretched their lead to 4-2 on a goal by Kyle Rasmussen to take momentum into the locker room.

The game remained at 4-2 until the Bulldogs mounted a comeback late in the third period. Eric Bailen helped breathe life back into the lungs of the Bulldogs when he scored his 10th goal of the season from deep in the right side of the Bulldog zone. Junior captain Adam Krug then put his team on his back and completed the comeback by scoring a power-play goal on a second-chance opportunity with 1:51 left in regulation to force an overtime period.

With the momentum clearly on the Bulldogs' side, the home team applied heavy pressure to the Sabres before striking for the game-winner. Bobby Hineman ended the game with his third goal of the season 1:34 into the extra frame to lift the Bulldogs to the impressive win.

Brad Fogal stopped 23 shots on goal for the Bulldog defense in goal while picking up his 14th win of the season. Cullen, who had a noteworthy day in goal for the Sabres, made 41 saves while being handed the tough overtime loss.

The Bulldogs only held a lead in Saturday's contest for 2:02 of the game before netting the overtime game-winner. In the two games of the weekend series, the Bulldogs and Sabres combined for 173 penalty minutes.

The Bulldogs, who now hold a seven point lead over Marian in the MCHA standings, will travel to MSOE for a weekend series on February 8 and 9. The Bulldogs swept the series between the two teams earlier this season at Arrington Ice Arena.