ADRIAN, Mich. — Two of the top Division III men’s hockey programs opened their seasons with a tight one Friday night, and sixth-ranked Utica left Arrington Ice Arena with a 3-2 overtime victory over eighth-ranked Adrian.
Neither team scored in the first period. Adrian struck 53 seconds into the second, Utica tied it midway through the frame, and the Bulldogs went back in front on a power-play goal at 18:42 to take a 2-1 lead into the second intermission.
The Pioneers needed only 38 seconds of the third period to pull even on a breakaway. Utica’s goaltender then stopped all 12 Adrian shots in the third, and his team held off four Bulldogs power plays over the night.
Utica went on a power play early in overtime after an Adrian tripping call but could not convert with a 4-on-3 edge. Moments after the penalty ended, a shot from the slot found the upper corner at 3:38 to end it. The game-winner came from the same senior forward who was named tournament MVP of the conference playoffs last season.
Adrian outshot Utica 33-25. The loss came as Adrian opened its 20th season of the program. It was Utica’s first win over Adrian in four tries.
The teams meet again Saturday at 3 p.m. at Arrington Ice Arena to finish the two-game series.
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