Jan. 29, 2008

Full MCHA Release for January 28, 2008

Adrian Closes in on National Top 10 Ranking

Adrian College swept Northland College over the weekend, extending the nation's third-longest current unbeaten streak to 10 games (10-0-0). The victories helped the Bulldogs move up in the polls as well, as they come in at No. 11 in the USCHO.com Top 15 poll released today - up from No. 13 a week ago.

The first-year program continues to impress, as they lead the nation in scoring at 7.32 goals a game (Neumann is second at 5.21) and scoring margin at 4.74 ( Plattsburgh is second at 3.15). Individually, the lineup boasts the top three scorers at the NCAA D-III level. Adam Krug (17G/33A) and Shawn Skelly (22G/28A) are tied for the lead in the nation, both with 50 points. Eric Miller (27G/21A) sits in third with his nation-leading 27 goals, giving the team the only three players nationally with over 40 points on the season. Adrian defeated Northland, 18-1 and 7-0, with the 18 goals scored the most in league play in almost 10 years (Marian and Findlay each had 18 in early December of 1998).

In other series, Minnesota-Crookston also swept its opponent, getting past Concordia by scores of 6-0 and 4-3. The Finlandia vs. MSOE series ended in a split, with MSOE winning Friday, 6-3, before the Lions posted a 6-1 victory Saturday. Lawrence and Marian played a home-and-home series, with the Sabres winning 4-3 at home Friday before the Vikings battled for a 4-4 tie Saturday.

Plenty of records have already been broken this season, most notably the season record for assists which fell this past weekend when Adam Krug ended play with 26 helpers. That broke the season record of 24, set by MSOE's Brian Soik in 2006-07. Additionally, Shawn Skelly has set a new standard for assists by a freshman. He currently has 23, breaking the old mark of 21 set by Josh Paquette of Finlandia in 2004-05. Eric Miller has one record already and another in his sights. His 22 goals sets a new mark for goals by a freshman, which had been 17 by MSOE's R.G. Flath in 2005-06 and Finlandia's Joe Lewis in 2004-05. He also has nine power play goals, just one off the season record of 10. Joining him on that list is Finlandia's Ryan Sullivan, who also currently has nine power play markers. Skelly (38 points) and Miller (37 points) have each already passed the freshman season point record of 36 held by Marian College's Pat Telford, set in 1998-1999. Adrian 's Quinn Waller's 18 assists in league play tie the old standard of 18 held by Brant Somerville of Findlay in 1998-99. Lastly, Marian College 's Carl Bresser set new season and career marks for short-handed goals this year. His total of five in league play eclipses the old standard of four (held by four players) and his career total of eight sets a new standard as well.

Players of the Week
-Adrian College Bulldogs junior forward Adam Krug (Livonia, Mich.) earns his league-best fourth MCHA Player of the Week award on the season. The high-scoring Krug set two records this weekend in regards to assists. On Friday, he recorded two goals and three assists, setting a new record for MCHA assists by a junior. Then, on Saturday, he added another goal and three more assists to push his season total to 26, breaking the league season mark of 24 assists. His three goals and six assists represented a league-high nine points for the week.
Other Nominees: Lee Swallow (MSOE), Jeff Wills (Marian), Ryan Tucker (UM-Crookston)

-University of Minnesota-Crookston Golden Eagles junior goalie Eric Everson (Stevens Point, Wis.) wins his second MCHA Defensive Player of the Week award this season. He made 20 saves in Friday's shutout over Concordia and then made it back-to-back wins with 27 more saves in a 4-3 victory Saturday.
Other Nominees: Quinn Waller (Adrian), Jeff Wills (Marian), Jason Woll (MSOE)

-Lawrence University Vikings freshman forward Matt Jacobs (East Northport, NY) earns the MCHA Freshman of the Week honors for his weekend efforts against Marian College. The biology major scored a goal and was +2 in the 4-3 loss on Friday before recording three assists in LU's 4-4 OT decision Saturday.
Other Nominees: Michael Soik (MSOE), Eric Miller (Adrian), Eric Everson (UM-Crookston)